Mike Gravel
Politician
2008 Libertarian presidential candidate and Democratic United States Senator from 1969 until 1981. He previously served as the 3rd Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives.
He moved to Alaska in 1956 because he saw it as a place where he could be a pioneer; he vigorously fought for and promoted its statehood in 1957.
He was in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1963 until 1966.
His father emphasized the necessity of a strong work ethic, while his mother promoted the need to obtain a thorough education.
His their 2007 campaign video, "Rock," was featured on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."