The Life Of Alaska Was Changed By The Work Of Thomas B. Stewart

Through the transition between territory and state, it is certain that Alaska was changed by the work of Thomas B. Stewart. Thomas Stewart, commonly known as Tom, was born on January 1, 1919, as the fourth of five children to Ben and Edna Stewart. Growing up, Tom spent much of his time outdoors, becoming a talented skier, a skill he would later use to become part of the 10th Mountain Division for the U.S. Army in WW11. After his service, he became a crucial part of Alaska’s fight for statehood and its governmental development. He formed the basis of the Alaska State Constitution, Alaska’s judicial system, and many other government processes that are still used by many today.

Some of the first on Mr. Stewart’s long list of accomplishments are

Tom was the expert when it came to setting up a convention and getting a good system running, so it is no surprise that he was also one of the collaborators when it came time to build the new legislative branch in Alaska. Stewart set up many laws that directly gave back to and supported the people of Alaska, including Article 8, which is one of his most impactful works. "The legislature shall provide for the utilization, development, and conservation of all natural resources belonging to the state, including land and waters for the maximum benefits of its people. You won’t find that in any other constitution" (Cole, 2013). Article 8, originally drafted by Mr. Stewart, was the beginning of the Permanent Fund Dividend as well as many other resource dividends. On top of that, he collaborated with the top officials already in the Alaska legislature and helped create many of the unique laws we have today. One of these is the state retirement policy, the Public Employees Retirement System, which gives state and local employees pension benefits through the state. Though Stewart was not the only mastermind behind the bills he passed, his ideas carried on through the years and governments, even after he retired, and are still used today by not only Alaskans but others who admire and approve his ground-breaking