04/11/2005 08:30 AM House FISHERIES

HB 256-RUTH BURNETT SPORT FISH HATCHERY                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR THOMAS announced that the  first order of business would                                                               
be HOUSE  BILL NO.  256, "An  Act naming  the Ruth  Burnett Sport                                                               
Fish Hatchery in Fairbanks."                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  JAY RAMRAS,  Alaska State  Legislature, presented                                                               
HB 256  as sponsor.   He explained that  the bill would  name the                                                               
proposed new  sport fish hatchery  in Fairbanks the  Ruth Burnett                                                               
Sport Fish Hatchery.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS asked Representative  Ramras to provide the                                                               
committee with some background information on Ms. Burnett.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
8:46:33 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE RAMRAS  pointed out that Ms.  Burnett, late former                                                               
mayor of  Fairbanks, originally conceived  of the idea of  a fish                                                               
hatchery there.   She also worked as the Fairbanks  aide for U.S.                                                               
Senator  Ted  Stevens.    He noted  that  the  proposed  hatchery                                                               
location is near  Ms. Burnett's former home.   He commented, "She                                                               
one  of the  greatest ladies  that I  ever had  the privilege  of                                                               
knowing through my youth and young adulthood."                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS  remarked, "She led  the fight to  clean up                                                               
that  area  down  around  the  Chena  River,  ...  and  was  very                                                               
successful."                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
8:48:21 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON  moved to  report HB  256 out  of committee                                                               
with  individual  recommendations  and  the  accompanying  fiscal                                                               
notes.   There being no objection,  HB 256 was reported  from the                                                               
House Special Committee on Fisheries.