Promises and Pledges of Alaska Statehood Under Attack

DATE STUDY OVERALL SUMMARY ASSUMPTIONS RECOMMENDATIONS CHAIRS

May 1990 Going Up in Flames: The Promises and Pledges of Alaska Statehood Under Attack Examination of the legal underpinnings of statehood and a discussion of the growth of federal powers in general. Areas of federal interference with Alaska's goals are identified. Success stories reveal ways in which many obstacles can be overcome. 1. The victories Alaskans have achieved in gaining support and assistance from the federal government have been the result of years of hard work and personal sacrifice by individual Alaskans.
2. In order to build the necessary grassroots support for a successful outcome in Congress Alaskans must be informed and united.
3. Federal power and responsibility is pervasive and dispersed and this diversity of leadership must be understood if Alaskan concerns are to be adequately addressed. 1. The governor and the state's congressional delegation should act as a catalyst to ensure that the recommendations of this report are adopted.
2. A unified position of Alaska's interests must be established in support of a common goal.
3. Today's generation of Alaskans must identify and foster champions and allies in the federal establishment who can assist Alaska in making its case.
4. Alaskans and their institutions must do a better job of educating themselves and others on the state's unique status.
5. The governor should establish a special arm of the attorney general's office to litigate federal infringements of statehood rights.
6. Interstate coalitions on common problems should be established.
7. Alaska must inform and educate the nation on the unique responsibilities of ownership placed on the State of Alaska. Unlike other states, Alaska was created as an "owner state" with extraordinary fiduciary responsibilities that go beyond the normal role played by other state governments.
8. Alaska's leaders must make a tenacious commitment to ensure victory in the federal arena. Malcolm Roberts

Commonwealth North Reports

Commonwealth North

DATE	STUDY	OVERALL SUMMARY	ASSUMPTIONS	RECOMMENDATIONS	CHAIRS
May 1990	Going Up in Flames: The Promises and Pledges of Alaska Statehood Under Attack	Examination of the legal underpinnings of statehood and a discussion of the growth of federal powers in general. Areas of federal interference with Alaska's goals are identified. Success stories reveal ways in which many obstacles can be overcome.	1. The victories Alaskans have achieved in gaining support and assistance from the federal government have been the result of years of hard work and personal sacrifice by individual Alaskans. 2. In order to build the necessary grassroots support for a successful outcome in Congress Alaskans must be informed and united. 3. Federal power and responsibility is pervasive and dispersed and this diversity of leadership must be understood if Alaskan concerns are to be adequately addressed.	1. The governor and the state's congressional delegation should act as a catalyst to ensure that the recommendations of this report are adopted. 2. A unified position of Alaska's interests must be established in support of a common goal. 3. Today's generation of Alaskans must identify and foster champions and allies in the federal establishment who can assist Alaska in making its case. 4. Alaskans and their institutions must do a better job of educating themselves and others on the state's unique status. 5. The governor should establish a special arm of the attorney general's office to litigate federal infringements of statehood rights. 6. Interstate coalitions on common problems should be established. 7. Alaska must inform and educate the nation on the unique responsibilities of ownership placed on the State of Alaska. Unlike other states, Alaska was created as an "owner state" with extraordinary fiduciary responsibilities that go beyond the normal role played by other state governments. 8. Alaska's leaders must make a tenacious commitment to ensure victory in the federal arena.	Malcolm Roberts