Jesse D. Lander

Lander became active in civic organizations including the Elks, the Eagles, the Pioneers of Alaska, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion while running his Fairbanks enterprises.^{[1][failed verification]} He entered territorial politics as a Democrat and won election to represent the Fourth District in the Alaska House of Representatives in 1938, taking office at the opening of the Thirteenth Legislature in January 1939.^{[1][failed verification]} He was re-elected in every biennial contest through 1944 and served continuously until 1947.^{[1][failed verification]} When the Seventeenth Legislature convened on January 22, 1945, he was unanimously chosen temporary speaker and soon afterward formally elected Speaker of the House.^[3] As presiding officer, he oversaw passage of measures that included the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 and legislation preparing the territory for post-war housing and administrative reorganization.^[4]

Lander died in Seattle on August 19, 1960, and was buried following funeral rites in Fairbanks on August 24 under the joint auspices of Igloo 4 Pioneers of Alaska, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.^[2]