When Sarah Palin was elected governor in 2006, she earned only 25 percent of Juneau’s vote. Her Republican predecessor, Frank Murkowski, won nearly 42 percent. But he had roots in Southeast and Sarah hailed from the Mat Su.
Juneau had recently survived a statewide vote to move legislative sessions to Wasilla — the 10th attempt since 1960 to relocate the capital. Understandably, Juneau was wary of this woman from Wasilla.
One of Palin’s first decisions as Governor-elect was to go off-script and schedule her official swearing-in ceremony not in the capital city but in Fairbanks, where Alaska’s Constitutional Convention had been held. She wanted her inauguration to celebrate the Alaska Constitution on the 50th anniversary of its 1956 ratification, and honor its delegates.
Sarah sent me an email, asking specifically who from Juneau would be the most historically appropriate person to participate in her swearing-in ceremony.
Sarah wanted this person on stage with her to introduce the still-living signers of the Constitution. She wondered if former Juneau Mayor Dennis Egan might be willing and asked me to find out.
I called Egan at the radio station and relayed the request. He did not hesitate: “If Sarah wants me there, tell her I would be honored.”
Dec. 4 was bitter cold and overcast when Egan took his place among the dignitaries in Fairbanks. Over 4,000 Alaskans had crammed into the Carlson Center to witness Alaska’s first woman sworn in as Governor.
His years in front of a microphone prepared Egan well for what was likely his largest live audience and perhaps his finest public moment.
Carrying the capital city’s voice, Egan captured the day’s historical significance — twinning his words with just enough humor and humanity to connect comfortably with the unfamiliar crowd. Distances between Alaskans disappeared. Juneau was never more accessible:
“It is a distinct honor for me to not only represent the four living Delegates to Alaska’s Constitutional Convention but to also represent the 30,000 residents of your Capital City. On behalf of Mayor Botelho and the citizens of Juneau, we look forward to welcoming you and your families to Alaska’s Capital later this week. The best thing about being the First Family in my city this week is you won’t have to shovel any of our 90 plus inches of snow if you don’t want to.
The Alaskans before you are the creators of the Alaska State Constitution, regarded by many as one of the best in the Nation.
My father, Bill Egan, was elected President of this Convention, a position he took very seriously. He was 41 years old at the time and subsequently elected as a Delegate to Congress to fight for Alaska’s Statehood and ultimately serving three terms as Governor, including the distinction of being Alaska’s first … a time when budgets were talked about in millions and not billions.
It is again an honor for me today to present the creators of the Alaska State Constitution. So as to not get myself in any trouble from my mother, I will introduce each Delegate in alphabetical order.”
Egan then introduced delegates Seaborn J. Buckalew, Jack B. Coghill, Victor Fisher and George Sundborg, Sr. He also introduced Katie Hurley who had served as Chief Clerk of the Alaska Constitutional Convention:
“When I was 9 years old and allowed to attend the proceedings, Katie let me vote on many motions but I don’t think she allowed me to sway the outcome. I even wrote a song about the Convention Delegates but only Katie remembers the words!”
Finally, Egan honored Juneau Judge Tom Stewart who served as Secretary of the Alaska Constitutional Convention but was unable to attend the ceremonies.
A little later, in April 2009, a grateful Gov. Palin repaid Egan’s class act and appointed him to the Juneau Senate seat he has held since and is vacating at the end of his term.
Egan, and his father before him, dreamed of a road uniting Alaskans — a dream denied by “builder” Bill Walker. So Egan continued on, making personal accessibility and relationship-building his hallmark.
Egan put his heart and soul into matters most important to Juneau, and understood the consequence of getting that right. We can only hope that whoever follows Egan does likewise.
• Paulette Simpson has been a volunteer for several civic and (and primarily Republican) political efforts. She raised her family, and still resides in, Douglas.
