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Alaskan Congressman Don Young helped celebrate the enactment of the Alaska Statehood Act today as he spoke on his bill H.Res.127, Recognizing and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the entry of Alaska in the Union as the 49th State. Congressman Young’s resolution passed the House this evening. Alaska was officially admitted as a State on January 13, 1959. July 7th will mark the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Statehood Act by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Rep. Young’s statement as prepared (For video click here):

"July 7th marks the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Alaska Statehood Act as approved by the United States Congress and signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Alaska would officially be admitted as a state on January 3, 1959.

"I introduced H.Res.127 which commemorates this occasion and recognizes all the people of Alaska, who represent the pioneering spirit that built this great Nation and contribute to our cultural and ethnic diversity. 

"Alaska is the northernmost, westernmost, and easternmost State of the Union encompassing an area one-fifth the size of the United States.  And for all those trivia buffs out there, Alaska is roughly 2.3 times the size of Texas.

"Purchased from Russia in 1867 for 7.2 million dollars or 2 cents per acre after Congress concluded its resources could be vitally important to the nation's future growth.

"At the time, the purchase was at the time derided as Seward's folly, because it was believed foolhardy to spend so much money on the remote region. Secretary of State William Seward would have the last laugh though.

"Source of 16 percent of the daily crude oil production in the United States and has 44 percent of the country’s undiscovered oil resources.

"Alaska’s 34,000 miles of shoreline form a gateway to one of the world's greatest fisheries, providing over 60 percent of the country's commercial seafood harvest.

"Has over 230 million acres of set aside in national parks, wildlife refuges and national forests which are visited each year by more than a million tourists.

"Forests add to Alaska’s beauty and provide a renewable economic resource. With 28 million acres of commercial forest, Alaska’s timber industry supplies world markets with logs, lumber, pulp, and other forest products.

"Contains half the nation’s coal reserves, and its largest silver and zinc mines. Glittering gold in Alaska’s streams and mountains still lure miners to work private claims.

"About 15 million acres of soil in Alaska are suitable for farming, with 1 million acres currently in production. The long daylight hours of summer produce vegetables of extraordinary size.

"I know that the people of Alaska will continue their commitment to the preservation and protection of this great country. Alaskans are proud, strong and independent Americans who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in and I am honored and humbled to stand here today on their behalf as we commemorate this important day in U.S. history.

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