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Mike Gravel

Senator Mike Gravel

Maurice "Mike" Gravel is a former Democratic United States Senator from Alaska, who served two terms from 1969 to 1981, and was a candidate in the 2008 presidential election. He served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1963 to 1966 and became its Speaker of the House. Gravel was elected to the United States Senate in 1968. He and Ted Stevens had many public confrontations on issues related to Alaska during the twelve years he was in office. He considers himself a “maverick” who was always trying to protect Alaska’s interests and did not play by party rules. At the time of his 2011 interview, Senator Gravel was living in Burlingame, California.
Mike Gravel appears in the following new Jukebox projects:
Interview Title Abstract Archive #: Oral History Project Date of Interview
Senator Mike Gravel, Part 1

Senator Mike Gravel was interviewed on May 26, 2011 by Mary Anne Hamblen and Karen Brewster at his home in Burlingame, California. In this interview, Senator Gravel talks about how he got into Alaskan politics, what it was like working as a Senator just after Alaska got Statehood, and working with Senator Ted Stevens. He also talks about a few key issues he worked on while he was in office including the Trans-Alaska Pipeline bill, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) and his efforts to open the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA) for oil development. He talks about the pubic confrontations that he and Stevens had on the floor of the Senate, but mentions that outside of politics they were cordial to each other.

 2011-21-03_PT.1 Senator Ted Stevens Oral History Project May 26, 2011
Senator Mike Gravel, Part 2

This is a continuation of the interview with Senator Mike Gravel on May 26, 2011 by Mary Anne Hamblen and Karen Brewster at his home in Burlingame, California. This is a continuation from tape number Oral History 2011-21-03, Part 1, and continues on tape number Oral History 2011-21-03, Part 3. In this part of the interview, Senator Mike Gravel talks about nuclear testing on Amchitka Island, how the media affected his relationship with Senator Ted Stevens, Stevens’ temper, and some of Stevens’ accomplishments. He also talks about working with Senator Stevens in the Senate, what he was like in private, and some important issues they worked on while in office.

 2011-21-03_PT.2 Senator Ted Stevens Oral History Project May 26, 2011
Senator Mike Gravel, Part 3

This is a continuation of the interview with Senator Mike Gravel on May 26, 2011 by Mary Anne Hamblen and Karen Brewster at his home in Burlingame, California. This is a continuation of tape numbers Oral History 2011-21-03, Parts 1 and 2. In this third and final part of the interview, Senator Mike Gravel talks about the Panama Canal proposal he submitted, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline issue, and tells a personal story about an evening with Senator Ted Stevens.

 2011-21-03_PT.3 Senator Ted Stevens Oral History Project May 26, 2011