Farewell to a True Friend
Week of June 9, 2003

If the value of a life were to be measured by what a person did for the lasting benefit of others, the life of Frank Ferguson was priceless. Before suffering a debilitating stroke over fifteen years ago, he was a miracle worker in the State Capitol as our legislator for seventeen years.

Ferguson was first elected to the Alaska State House in November of 1970. He served two terms as a representative before being elected to the Senate in 1976, where he served until 1987. For the people of his region and Native people throughout Alaska, Senator Ferguson was the right man, in the right place, at the right time in our state history.

You don't have to look far to find evidence of our Senator's amazing accomplishments - you can look everywhere. Here are just a few examples of his handiwork: the empowerment of regional non-profit Native organizations (like Maniilaq Association) as providers for rural health and social services; Chukchi Campus; village clinics and the Village Health Aide Program; television/telephone communications to rural communities; VPSO Program; extension of village airports to 3,000 feet with lighting and maintenance; state revenue-sharing for villages; school certification for bi-lingual aides for Native language instruction; regional courts in Kotzebue and Barrow; financing for the Red Dog Mine road and port development and accompanying local hire provisions; and on and on.

However, our late Senator will most be remembered for his contribution in the area of funding for rural education. In the years following the Molly Hootch Case, in which regional boarding schools were overturned as a just means of providing rural education, Ferguson and his close ally in the Senate, John Sackett of Ruby, led the effort to fund construction of schools in all villages. They also engineered a state funding formula for education that would ensure fair treatment for the small village schools. The fact that school districts such as ours still receive more than twice the state dollars per student that urban schools receive is lasting testimony to his effectiveness.

Much of his success in politics was attributable to the Inupiaq values instilled within him. Senator Ferguson never stood up on the Senate floor to give a rambling speech or posture for the television cameras; he worked quietly. Like a great hunter, he was always focused on delivering what his "family" back home needed. His method of delivery was careful planning, maintenance of strong alliances and, most of all, hard work. There is a saying that "knowledge is power." Senator Ferguson was proof of that. No other legislator put in more time learning about issues that affected his region. Through all of the ups and downs that are part of political life, he always maintained good humor and the lasting respect of both Republicans and Democrats.

Senator Ferguson's physical ailments over the last fifteen years were cause for sorrow in all of us. Tragedy often befalls those least deserving of it, and that was certainly true in his case. Yet even when he was no longer able to speak or move around well, he always had a cheerful smile for everyone he met. The twinkle in his eye never dimmed and the strength of his handshake never wavered. Last month when I visited Frank and Sophie, his handshake was so firm that I commented to him about his strength.

The final chapter in the great life of Frank Ferguson was a very difficult one for his family, his friends and him. However, when the final stroke came, Frank was doing something he enjoyed, being at camp with his family and friends. Sophie and her family's dedication, love and devotion to Frank during these past fifteen years have been heartwarming. I will always remember and admire the strength that they demonstrated in dealing with adversity for so many years.

While we have now lost Frank Ferguson the man, we can take heart in knowing that few will ever leave such a great legacy of public service behind them. He helped create a better world for each and every one of us.