Alaska flag exhibit to open

JUNEAU -- Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer paid tribute to Alaska flag designer at the opening of an Alaska State Museum exhibit last week, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the making of Alaska's flag.

Benny Benson's 1927 design was the winner in a contest to select a territorial flag.

"Benny Benson made a tremendous impact on Alaska history when he submitted his entry that featured the Big Dipper and the North Star," Ulmer said. "His story is a wonderful example of how one young person can really make a difference. The flag story continues to remind us of the importance of listening to the ideas and opinions of young people."

Ulmer said she supports legislation to include Alaska history in Alaska's graduation requirements. A bill sponsored by Rep. Mary Kapsner and 28 other legislators would do just that. The bill is in the House Finance Committee.

The proposal has gained support across the state since its introduction last year. A recent Tolerance Commission report recommended adoption of the bill and a unanimous vote by the Anchorage School Board has placed a graduation requirement of Alaska history in the Anchorage School District curriculum.

"I think the more we know about Alaska's people, cultures and history, the better we will understand each other and the issues of the day," Ulmer said.

"We can build pride among all of our cultures by pointing out that we all have something to contribute and something to learn from each other."

Benny Benson, a middle-school student at the Jessie Lee Mission Home in Seward, submitted the winning design that became Alaska's territorial and state flag. His "eight stars of gold on a field of blue" was chosen first among the 34 submitted.

"It symbolizes all of Alaska, not jut one region or one culture and that was important to the selection committee," Ulmer said. "That's why it's particularly poignant this year that a bill, sponsored by Rep. Carl Morgan, adds the second verse to the state song."

Ulmer introduced the original bill in 1987, which recognized the verse written by Juneau's Carol Beery Davis as the official second verse of "Alaska's Flag," a verse that paid homage to the role Benny Benson played in Alaska's history. The bill passed the House but stalled in the Senate State Affairs Committed. Ulmer is hopeful this Legislature will adopt the second verse to honor Benny and the many Native Alaskans and other cultures that have contributed to Alaska history.

"We have many challenges to overcome to become a more unified state as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of Alaska's flag," Ulmer said.

The museum's exhibit, entitled "Eight Stars of Gold: The Story of Alaska's Flag," will feature Benson's handmade flag and pictures of the other designs. It opened Jan. 17 with Benson's daughter, Charlotte Irvin and his granddaughter, Sherry Irvin, in attendance, along with a number of other celebrated guests.

The exhibit will travel to other venues around the state during the next two years, according to museum curator Bruce Kato.

Online education materials are available at the museum's Web site, www.museums.state.ak.us.