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 from 1933 to 1945. Dimond was also an early champion of Alaska statehood.

Early life

Dimond, known as "Tony," 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).

Political career

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.

Mentees' careers

His secretary from 1933 to 1934, Bob Bartlett, eventually became a United States senator from Alaska, serving from 1959 to 1968. His godson, Bill Egan, became Alaska's first Governor after Statehood, serving from 1959 to 1966 and from 1970 to 1974. His son, John H. Dimond, became a Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court following statehood.

Legacy

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.

Slattery Report

In 1940, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt was considering making Alaska an international Jewish homeland, Dimond was the main force behind defeating the effort.