Vic Fischer, the last surviving signer of Alaska’s constitution, dies at 99
Fischer served two terms in the state Senate as a Democrat. He remained active in politics until his final months, strongly opposing a failed effort last year to call a constitutional convention. Vic Fischer, the last living signer of Alaska's constitution, has died at the age of 99. Fischer was introduced to democracy at a dinner at the White House with Eleanor Roosevelt and interrupted his university studies to serve in World War II. He came to Alaska in 1950 and advocated for statehood before being elected to help draft Alaska’s constitution five years later. Fischer served two terms in the state Senate as a Democrat and was elected to the last territorial Legislature. His most notable work was co-authoring the repeal of the death penalty, based on his abhorrence of state power to kill its citizens.
Veröffentlicht : vor 2 Jahren durch Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media in Politics
Vic Fischer, the last living signer of Alaska’s constitution, died Sunday at his Anchorage home. He was 99.
Fischer grew up in Berlin and Moscow. His mother was Russian and his father an American foreign correspondent. His father appealed to Eleanor Roosevelt to get the family out of the Soviet Union. And so, as Fischer later told it, his introduction to democracy began with dinner at the White House with the president and first lady. He was barely 15.
Fischer interrupted his university studies to serve in World War II. By the end of it, he was committed to the values that would guide his life, which he described as liberal and humanistic, including support for the vulnerable and combating racism.
He came to Alaska in 1950 and advocated for statehood. Five years later, he was elected to help draft Alaska’s constitution. Fischer spoke of it at a 2015 storytelling event.
“Participating in the Constitutional Convention was a fabulous way of being part of democracy and state building,” Fischer said.
He was later elected to the last territorial Legislature. He said his most important work was co-authoring the repeal of Alaska’s death penalty.
“Which was very important to me, based on my abhorrence of the power of the state to kill its citizens, as I had seen in Germany, and in Russia,” Fischer said.
Fischer served two terms in the state Senate as a Democrat. He remained active in politics until his final months, strongly opposing a failed effort last year to call a constitutional convention.
His efforts included supporting an unsuccessful bid to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy, whose government-slashing agenda — Fischer felt — ran counter to the intent of the state constitution and the achievements of statehood.
Themen: In Memoriam, Alaska