President Dwight D. Eisenhower (C) signing the proclimation to admit Alaska to the US with Vice-President Richard M. Nixon (L seated) and US official Sam Rayburn (R, seated) watching. (Background, L-C) Alaskan politicos Ralph Rivers, E. L. Bartlett,Alaskan Governor Ernest Gruening, and US Secretary of Interior Fred A. Seaton also watching.