Anthony Dimond

Anthony Joseph "Tony" 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.

Anthony Dimond
Delegate to the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Alaska Territory's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1933  January 3, 1945
Preceded byJames Wickersham
Succeeded byBob Bartlett
Personal details
Born(1881-11-30)November 30, 1881
Palatine Bridge, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 28, 1953(1953-05-28) (aged 71)
Anchorage, Alaska Territory, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenJohn H. Dimond
ProfessionJudge, lawyer, schoolteacher

Dimond was born in Palatine Bridge, Montgomery County, New York and attended Catholic schools, taught school in Montgomery County (1900–1903), and was a prospector/miner in Alaska (1905–1912) before studying law and beginning practice in Valdez (1913).[1]

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 Boulevard, 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.[2]

See also

References

  1. "Dimond, Anthony Joseph." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Office of the Historian. Accessed 1 Feb. 2013.
  2. Kizzia, Tom. "Are there no exceptions? Archived September 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine" Anchorage Daily News, 19 May 1999. Accessed 1 Feb. 2013.
  • United States Congress. "Anthony Dimond (id: D000353)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • Anthony Joseph Dimond at Find a Grave
  • Anthony Dimond at 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
James Wickersham
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alaska Territory

March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1945
Succeeded by
Bob Bartlett
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