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The Nome Nugget
Nome, Nome County, Alaska
What is this article about?
Mike A. Stepovich, Alaska's youngest and first native-born governor, received a tumultuous welcome in Fairbanks upon returning from Portland. Greeted by crowds, military honors, and Republican leaders, he expressed optimism for land release, statehood, and support from Washington.
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Upon Returning to His Home Town
FAIRBANKS (P)--A sober-faced young Fairbanks attorney who will serve the next four years as Alaska's youngest and first native-born governor, received a tumultuous welcome on his return to his home town Monday.
The first words of Mike A. Stepovich, 38, to a crowd of several thousand cheering residents were that he is praying to fulfill the territory's expectations and possibilities.
Stepovich landed at Fairbanks International Airport at 6 p.m. after a flight from Seattle and Portland. He had visited relatives, including his mother, in Portland over the weekend.
Stepovich, a seasoned veteran of the Territorial Senate, was greeted with a 17-gun salvo by the Army's Yukon Command, three military bands, an Alaska National Guard drill team, territorial Republican leaders, and his wife, Matilda, and five of their seven young children.
Crowds lined the highway from the airport to downtown Fairbanks to watch the car caravan bring Stepovich to the business district where a reviewing stand awaited him.
Introducing the new governor was Alaska GOP national committeeman, Walter J. Hickel of Anchorage, who had been named along with Stepovich as one of three party choices of the post.
Hickel told the audience "I'm glad Mike got the appointment. Alaska won when they got Mike. He's our first native-born governor. Nothing else matters."
The GOP committeeman added if the people of Alaska will stand behind him, Stepovich will be one of the greatest, if not the greatest governors Alaska has had.
The new governor declared Alaska had been given a great deal. Land, he said, is the key to opportunity, and Alaska has 375 million acres.
"They promised in Washington to do everything they could for us to release land as they can," he stated.
"They're all for us back there. They know the word Alaska."
Stepovich also predicted early statehood for the territory and said he was greatly encouraged at the attitudes of both President Eisenhower and Secretary of the Interior Seaton toward Alaska.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Fairbanks
Event Date
Monday
Key Persons
Outcome
received tumultuous welcome from several thousand residents, military honors, and republican leaders; expressed prayers to fulfill expectations and predictions of early statehood.
Event Details
Mike A. Stepovich returned to Fairbanks after visiting relatives in Portland, landing at the airport and proceeding in a car caravan to a reviewing stand. He was greeted by crowds, a 17-gun salvo, military bands, National Guard, family, and leaders. Introduced by Walter J. Hickel, Stepovich addressed the crowd on land opportunities, support from Washington, and statehood prospects.