Anthony Dimond

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Anthony Joseph Dimond (November 30, 1881–May 28, 1953) was an American Democratic Party politician who was the Alaska Territory Delegate in the United States House of Representatives for many years (1933-1945). Dimond was also an early champion of Alaska statehood.

Dimond was born in New York and attended Catholic schools, taught school in Montgomery County, New York (1900-1903) and was a prospector/miner in Alaska (1904-1912) before studying law and beginning practice in Valdez (1913).

Dimond's political experience includes: US Commissioner in Chisana, Alaska (1913-1914); Special Assistant US Attorney for the 3rd Judicial Division of Alaska in Valdez (1917); Mayor of Valdez (1920-1922, 1925-1932); Alaska Territorial Senate (1923–1926, 1929–1932); and District Judge for the 3rd Division of Alaska (1945–1953). He also served as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1936 and 1940. He died on May 28, 1953 in Anchorage.

A Roman Catholic, Dimond was a member of organizations such as the Elks, Moose and Eagles. His secretary, Bob Bartlett, eventually became a United States Senator from Alaska.

Today, November 30 is celebrated by the State of Alaska as "Anthony Dimond Day". In Anchorage, A. J. Dimond High School and Dimond Blvd, a major thoroughfare, are named after him.

In 1940, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt was considering making Alaska an international Jewish homeland, Dimond was the main force behind defeating the effort. Some Alaskan papers have attributed this to anti-Semitism on the part of Dimond and others, although the charge was later refuted by historians who pointed out that Dimond was mostly concerned about the finances.

[edit] See also

Dimond Center

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Preceded by James Wickersham	Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from Alaska Territory's At-large congressional district March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1945	Succeeded by Bob Bartlett