‘Model' state constitution turns 50 today

We the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land, in order to secure and transmit to succeeding generations our heritage of political, civil, and religious liberty within the United States, do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Alaska.

- Preamble to the Alaska Constitution

Fifty years ago today, delegates from around Alaska adopted and signed the state's constitution. It was the culmination of 75 days of work by 55 committed individuals, who gathered in Fairbanks for the purpose of demonstrating to Congress the readiness of Alaskans to join the union by creating the framework for state government.

Frustrated by what they perceived as 88 years of mistreatment by a federal government that seemed more interested in Alaska's resources than in its people's right to have a say in how those resources were managed, the delegates gathered, in the words of Territorial Governor Ernest Gruening, &#8220to validate the most basic of American principles, the principle of government by consent of the governed.”

Those elected to the constitutional convention were a remarkable assortment of Alaskans. They came from a special set of election districts developed to provide broad geographical representation. There were businessmen and attorneys, ministers and housewives, Republicans and Democrats. Ten had never served in elected office before.

That they were able to quickly put their differences aside and decisively focus on the higher purpose before them is a testament to their dedication. The convention's president, Bill Egan, a 41-year-old Valdez grocer who would go on to become the new state's first governor, summed up the marvel of seeing so many diverse individuals come together the way they did: &#8220It's wonderful, and maybe a miracle, to see how these 55 people have left politics out of this convention … This gathering is a new and different thing.”

And the end result reflected that wonder. For more than two months, the delegates studied, debated and held public hearings. Their work led to the framework for state government - the structure of courts, the Legislature and the executive branch. They decided basic principles to guide resource policies, the rules for taxation and the basic rights that all Alaskans today enjoy.

The finished product was widely admired and hailed as a model constitution because of its brevity and flexibility. At 13,460 words, the Alaska Constitution is about half the length of the average state charter and, according to constitutional scholars, far less likely to need extensive amendments. The National Municipal League called it &#8220one of the best, if not the best, state constitution ever written.”

As we mark the 50th anniversary of our state constitution, it is our hope that the people of Alaska, and those who lead them, pause to reflect on the power of the kind of nonpartisan people-motivated policy that brought us this amazing document. In particular, we hope they remember Article 1, Section 2 of the constitution: &#8220All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole.”