Tony Knowles (politician)

Anthony Carroll "Tony" Knowles ( born January 1, 1943 in Tulsa, Oklahoma ) is an American politician of the Democratic Party. He was from 1994 to 2002 governor of the U.S. state of Alaska.

Early years and political rise

Tony Knowles was born in 1943 in Tulsa. He joined in 1962 into the U.S. Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division. In addition, he volunteered for service in Vietnam 1964-1965. After his military service, he attended Yale University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in economics in 1968. Then he moved to Alaska to work as a roughneck in the Cook Inlet and North Slope oil fields. A year later he opened his first restaurant, Grizzly Burgers. With some help of partners he was able to expand to three locations and then opened the Downtown Deli. He was also active between 1975 and 1979 in the Anchorage Assembly.

Knowles decided in 1981 to pursue a political career by being elected mayor of Anchorage, a post which he held until 1987. As mayor, he helped the private sector to create hundreds of new jobs and equipped Anchorage on the future by he tended the city services, as well as an 11 -mile route for joggers and cross machine, which was later renamed the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. He then worked 1988-1989 in North Pacific Fisheries Management Council and initiated to stop the fish eradication, and to consume other fish resources in Alaska efforts.

Governor of Alaska

Tony Knowles was elected in 1994 as governor of Alaska. He held the office from 5 December 1994 to 2 December 2002. Because of office for the governor's post in Alaska are limited to two consecutive, he had to resign from office. During his tenure, he initiated the "Smart Start" program, which ensures the health of all children, strengthened the prevention programs and was uncompromising in child abuse (English child abuse ), as well as neglect (English neglect ). His Quality Schools Initiative improved Alaska schools by combined legally binding standards, encompassing inspections and the corrective with the increase in financial support for schools.

Further CV

In 2004, he lost the election for U.S. senator for the state of Alaska with 46 % compared to the 49 % of incumbent Lisa Murkowski. Since Alaska a third choice - with at least four year hiatus - allows for governorship, he applied again in 2006, but the election lost with 41% against Republican Sarah Palin, the 48% reached ( the candidate of the Independent, Andrew Halcro, scored 9 % ).

In April 2010, Knowles was appointed by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar in the governing body ( Advisory Board ) of the National Park System.

Honors

He was honored in 2001 by the National Congress of American Indians for its long-standing support of Alaska Natives.