SB 100-NAMING WILLARD E. DUNHAM RESIDENCE HALL  3:36:20 PM CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 100, "An Act naming the Willard E. Dunham Residence Hall." 3:36:33 PM SENATOR MICCICHE, bill sponsor, said the bill was introduced at the request of the people of Seward. Mr. Willard Dunham was a great man who passed away March 1. After the earthquake in 1964, he worked to rebuild Seward. He was the founding director of AVTEC [Alaska's Institute of Technology] and served from 1969 to 2019. He worked to bring the Alaska Sea Life Center to Seward. He always put his community and Alaska first. He was an amazing man. SENATOR MICCICHE said the bill renames AVTEC dormitory as the Willard E. Dunham Residence Hall. 3:38:19 PM CHEYENNE GIRMSCHEID, Intern, Senator Peter Micciche, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said Mr. Dunham spent his life working toward and advocating for a better quality of life in his community. He worked for the Alaska railroad before being drafted into the Army and was stationed in Fairbanks in the early 50s. After his Army service, he worked on the docks in Seward until the 1964 earthquake wiped out the docks, along with most of the town. MS. GIRMSCHEID said this led him to work full time with the Department of Labor and the City of Seward. He had an impressive record of community service and employment projects. Some of these projects included the Spring Creek Correctional Center and the Seward Library and Museum. He was mayor of Seward for two years and sat on nearly every city task force, commission, and committee over a 60-year period. One thing that came up repeatedly in her discussions with AVTEC staff was his passion for Alaska and his dedication to Seward. As director of AVTEC, he reminded his students and staff of the goals of the school and Seward itself. These are the values that Willard Dunham left impressed on those around him and the values that AVTEC wishes to honor and remember. CHAIR SHOWER noted the letters of support from the community and asked if they had reached out to the family. He asked, out of concern for due diligence, if there was any opposition to renaming the hall. MS. GIRMSCHEID said the person she spoke to with AVTEC had been in contact with family, friends, and coworkers. 3:41:36 PM SENATOR MICCICHE said the community is excited about the bill. Mr. Dunham was beloved by his community. They have lots of support. SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if the building already had a name. MS. GIRMSCHEID answered that it was just the Third Avenue AVTEC facility. SENATOR REINBOLD said Mr. Dunham sounds impressive. She generally has a challenge with naming things after persons because people have no idea why that person was chosen over others. She asked if a there can be a plaque on the building that states why the dormitory is named after Mr. Dunham. She thinks informative plaques are critical for people in the future. MS. GIRMSCHEID said the city is collecting funds to buy a plaque that will do that. 3:43:48 PM CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony. 3:43:59 PM CATHY LECOMPTE, Director, AVTEC, Seward, Alaska, testified in support of SB 100. She said the ribbon cutting will be September 27. The plaque is being purchased by the city of Seward and it will explain who Mr. Dunham was and remind students to live a life of public service in honor of Mr. Dunham. He was an amazing man. Because of his efforts at AVTEC, thousands of Alaskans have gone through AVTEC and been trained for work and have had good careers. They continue to do that to this day, 50 years later. 3:44:55 PM CHAIR SHOWER closed public testimony. 3:45:13 PM At ease. 3:45:44 PM CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting. SENATOR MICCICHE said that because it is a state building, a name change requires a bill. Mr. Dunham was a friend of his and a mentor. He provided the ultimate example of public service in the state of Alaska. CHAIR SHOWER asked the will of the committee. 3:46:25 PM SENATOR COGHILL moved to report SB 100 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). CHAIR SHOWER found no objection and SB 100 passed from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.