Mr.
President, the Senate is about to cast a historic vote which will grant
statehood to Alaska. Only historians will be able truly to evaluate this
act. I do not believe there is a Member of the Senate who can assess the
great good that has been done today or all the benefits that will accrue
to the people of Alaska and to all Americans by our action. People throughout
the world will herald statehood for Alaska as dramatic proof of the dynamic
characteristics of democracy in America.
-Senator
Henry Jackson to the United States Senate just prior to the passage of
the Alaska Statehood Act, June 30, 1958
|
