KUAC/AlaskaOne
For Immediate Release
November 1, 2009
Contact: Deb Lawton
907.474.5051
E-mail: deb@kuac.org

Fairbanks, AK – With his horn-rimmed spectacles and awkward speech, Edward Lewis “Bob” Bartlett was an unlikely hero. Yet Bartlett became the individual in Washington, most credited with the successful campaign to make Alaska a state.

As Alaska celebrates fifty years as a state, American Public Television (APT) begins distribution of Mr. Alaska: Bob Bartlett Goes to Washington, the uplifting story of an improbable politician’s journey from a gritty gold rush town in Alaska to the United States Senate. Bartlett served fourteen years as the state’s Territorial Delegate to Congress and another eight as senior Senator for the state of Alaska.

Mr, Alaska is a quintessential story of the American democratic process and individual accomplishment. Bartlett’s persistent, quiet style of politics, faithful service and personal relationships piloted him to a level of statesmanship few have achieved before or since. He authored or co-authored more than 900 bills with a remarkably high rate of passage, a record of legislative success that alone qualifies him for honor. But Bartlett’s more exclusive distinction is one few members of Congress can claim—his greatest success was the very creation of the State he represented.

It’s an inspiring, engaging saga akin to Hollywood’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, although largely unknown because Bob Bartlett was always content to let someone else take the credit if it meant making the lives of his constituents better.

Mr. Alaska: Bob Bartlett Goes to Washington is a 60-minute, historical documentary produced by KUAC-TV. The film explores the life and times of Alaska’s standout statesman, E.L. “Bob” Bartlett, whose death marked the end of an era in Alaska. With him passed the last of the state’s first generation of elected leaders. His life spanned Alaska’s territorial days, gold stampedes and two world wars, and he lived to realize the bright new hope of statehood and its exciting opportunities.


With more than 10,000 hours of programming in its library, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation’s public television stations for 48 years, distributing more than 300 new titles per year. In 2006, APT launched Create – the TV channel featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming. Known for its leadership in identifying innovative, worthwhile and viewer-friendly programming, APT has established a tradition of providing public television stations with program choices that strengthen and customize their schedules, such as Rick Steves' Europe, Worldfocus, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, Sara's Weeknight Meals, America's Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie, Doc Martin, Lidia's Italy, Rosemary and Thyme, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, Biz Kid$, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, Pavarotti: Salute Petra, The Best of the Jack Benny Show, Agatha Christie's Poirot, Spain...on the road Again, and other prominent documentaries, dramatic series, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies. For more information about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.



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