Former Governor of Alaska, Jay Hammond, died at age 83, peacefully at his home in Lake Clark, Alaska. He served Alaska as its Governor from 1974 to 1982, the years during which Alaska built an incredible oil pipeline, banked a large amount of the oil lease revenues, and created a dividend program that every resident of Alaska benefits from yearly.
Very few men are ever fortunate enough to be so productive during their public life. Not surprisingly, Jay Hammond was respected and admired by a huge population. He was the "quintessential Alaskan," as state senator Fred Dyson put it.
Jay Hammond came to Alaska following his service as a Marine fighter pilot during World War II. He bought an amphibious plane and worked as a bush pilot and trapper. Later he worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He developed a keen eye for protecting and preserving the environment. Even as a developer of Alaska's natural resources, Hammond ensured that development did not proceed at the expense of environmental protection.
Hammond was elected to the state legislature in 1959 and served several terms. He then became mayor of the Bristol Bay Borough and served as a state senator. In 1974 he was elected Governor for the first of two terms.
During his tenure as Governor, Hammond oversaw the building and the opening of the Alaska Pipeline, the oil pipeline that runs from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. He preserved a large portion of the oil lease revenues in the form of a Permanent Fund. The Fund has been in existence now for over 25 years, a form of saving account for the state.
The Permanent Fund might have been spent any number of times, but Hammond inspired the State to create a Dividend program to provide incentive for keeping the Fund intact. The Dividend program provides a yearly payment to every resident of Alaska. The Permanent Fund is like a large pension fund that every Alaskan is proud of and benefits from. Thanks to Jay Hammond, the Fund enjoys protection and will remain in place for many years to come.
Jay Hammond and his wife, Bella, lived for the past many years at Lake Clark where they homesteaded originally 50 years ago. Lake Clark is an awesome and gorgeous large lake in the Aleutian chain of mountains not too far from Anchorage via float plane. Remember, it was the adventure of being a float plane pilot that brought Hammond to Alaska originally.
Hammond was a humble man and displayed a warm sense of humor. Once, during a re-election debate in 1978, he was asked if he believed he was the best choice to be Governor. Hammond replied, "No, there are plenty of other Alaskans who can do a much better job than I could. Unfortunately, none of them are running."
The consensus was that Jay Hammond was the best man for the job, and he will be remembered that way.
Garry Gamber is a public school teacher. He writes articles about politics, real estate, health and nutrition, and internet dating services. He is a founding member of http://www.goodpoliticsradio.com and the owner of http://www.goodpoliticsradio.com.
Chicago limo Skokie ..I am an incurably ill American male forced to leave... Read More
The Randolphs:Peyton Randolph was the first President of the United... Read More
We have brain drain issues in Silicon Valley, we have... Read More
The most damaging factor to our economy today is the... Read More
You, the reader, should be aware of my affluence of... Read More
I would like to discuss a few issues we have... Read More
There are many mines around the world, which are owned... Read More
Here is an interesting thought; Corn to make Plastic An... Read More
Long Term Environmental Effect of Plastics, Composites and Other Materials... Read More
The recent Jakarta summit of Asia and Africa brought remembrance... Read More
How can any human being today, anywhere in this world,... Read More
Many had made mention of the problems of business opportunities... Read More
Is the only way to fight Fundamentalist Extremists becoming one... Read More
I read an interesting article in foreign Affairs magazine last... Read More
I. OVERVIEWIn the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks... Read More
Let's make one thing clear: This Dan Nelson Automotive fiasco... Read More
In Belarus parliament is going to struggle with degeneration of... Read More
Maybe some of the people complaining ought to go to... Read More
The Second World War was the continuation of World War... Read More
1. United States of America (USA)In the United States, legislation... Read More
The CBR taxes the Pakistani source income of nonresident individuals... Read More
Wealth Distribution is often discussed at length in periodicals such... Read More
Are the junior attorneys in the Attorney General's office leaving... Read More
Some call it the "unofficial" or "informal" economy, others call... Read More
The official figures are staggering: 35% of the workforce -... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..On June 16, 1972, a security guard at the Watergate... Read More
I watch the TV news and I get angry. I... Read More
Here are some miscellaneous thoughts on issues many of which... Read More
Originally published in 1958, "The Ugly American" (Lederer & Burdick)... Read More
In order to build a stronger, more self-sufficient America, America... Read More
Those of us hundreds of miles from ground zero sat... Read More
WE MUST PUT A STOP TO THE EVER-INCREASING PRICE OF... Read More
All to often law makers and regulators create rules and... Read More
An article in Information Week in January 14, 2002 discussed... Read More
I propose a special Projection Device code-named: "TIPED". This system... Read More
Britain has a proud tradition of valiant armed forces and... Read More
The evacuation of Gaza is now completed, and the world... Read More
Most citizens agree that we need the Federal Trade Commission... Read More
Presently Universities and Private Enterprise are working to build more... Read More
America is filled with standouts and perserverance; our nation has... Read More
..."history may judge us to be the real bully if,... Read More
As we reel from the news of the recent bombings... Read More
The offshore financial centres have been forced in recent years... Read More
Without the flow of fuel our very mobile society comes... Read More
Amnesty International comments on the proposal that has been laid... Read More
The newest pebble reactors are easy to build and manage... Read More
The UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is hear to stay and... Read More
There is no doubt in hindsight that Sarbanes Oxley was... Read More
Recently scientists have been watching the exponential growth of marine... Read More
The news media will regularly present views from Democratic (liberal),... Read More
Political |