LIVING LEGEND SHARES OPINIONS

Walter J. Hickel, former two time Alaska governor, and United States Secretary of the Interior, visited the legislature today. He’ll be eighty-seven on August 18th. I hope I’m as sharp as he is when I’m eighty-seven. Fact is, I wish I were as sharp as he is now!

Governor “Wally” Hickel was born into a large farm family in Kansas in 1919. He became a boxer – and a winner - when he was a young man. The Golden Gloves champion won the first time he stepped in the ring. He says, "I made my mind up. I said I'm going to win.” That positive attitude has been the hallmark of his considerable success. He moved to Alaska in 1940, and the rest is history.

Governor Hickel presented the legislature with his opinions on the various gas pipeline proposals in no uncertain terms. One never has to guess where Hickel stands on the issues! He advised settling the 2006 election before moving ahead with a pipeline vote. For myself, I think we should approve a pipeline contract whenever it looks like we have a deal that best serves Alaska – whether that occurs before or after the election.

Governor Hickel gave “Alaska First” baseball caps to legislators – and “Alaska First” should be something on which everyone can agree.