This past Thursday a gathering was held in the Speaker’s Chambers at the Capitol to unveil a bronze bust of Alaska’s first state Governor Bill Egan. The sculpture was commissioned by the Legislature from artist Roy Peratrovich Jr., who is also the son of Roy and Elizabeth Peratrovich, Alaska Native rights pioneers.
 
The event featured remarks by Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), who is an astute and charismatic historian; former Sen. John Coghill, who put in motion the commission for the sculpture several years ago; Sen. Jesse Kiehl, who before being elected to office was a long-time staffer to former Sen. Dennis Egan, son of the former governor; and finally, Dennis Egan himself, via teleconference. Roy Peratrovich Jr. was also in attendance via Zoom.
 
Bill Egan was the first of only two Alaska governors to have been born in Alaska, the other being Bill Walker. He began his political career in 1940, when he was elected to the Territorial House of Representatives, representing Valdez. He served four terms, which included simultaneous service during World War II as Valdez’s mayor.
 
In 1953, he was elected to the Territorial Senate. Two years later, when the legislature arranged for a constitutional convention in the effort to seek Congressional approval for statehood, Egan was selected to preside.
 
His leadership of the convention is widely credited as key to its success in the creation of among the most robust and admired state Constitutions in the U.S.  Many view this achievement as just as impressive as his many historic accomplishments as governor, which included the transition to statehood and leading Alaska’s response following the 1964 Good Friday earthquake.