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4.5.13.wavThe constitutional convention also adopted a new strategy to promote statehood known as the Alaska-Tennessee Plan. The plan had its origins in George Lehletner, who devoted years to a personal crusade to help win statehood for Alaska and Hawaii. He traveled at his own expense to Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C., spreading his message with speeches, letters, and personal contacts.
As part of his research, he learned about a technique that Tennessee had used to win admission to the Union. The basic idea was to elect a Congressional delegation and send its members to Washington, D.C., hoping for recognition by Congress. Southeast Alaskans had made similar efforts in the late 19th century, choosing unofficial delegates to Congress.
The territory's voters endorsed the idea and chose Democrats Ralph Rivers, William Egan, and Ernest Gruening as the Alaska-Tennessee Plan delegation. They brought gifts for President Eisenhower and his wife, including ivory carvings, smoked salmon, and "Arctic Scent" cologne. They began lobbying Congress and the press.
A friendly senator introduced them in the Senate gallery on January 14, 1957. A dozen senators spoke in favor of statehood for Alaska, leading Gruening to write that the events of that day "far exceeded our hopes and expectations." One Congressional statehood opponent termed the election of the three men as illegal, presumptuous, and "a brazen attempt to coerce Congress," but most of the reaction was not so negative.Â
Cartoon on Alaska's unofficial delegation
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