2002-02-01                     Senate Journal                      Page 2087
SB 269                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 269 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
                "An Act naming bridge number 1121, across the                                      
              Knik River, the Sergeant James Bondsteel Bridge of                                   
          Honor; and providing for an effective date."                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee.                               
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Transportation and Public                                   
  Facilities                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2002-02-01                     Senate Journal                      Page 2088
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 29:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
I am pleased to transmit this bill that recognizes James Leroy                                      
Bondsteel. This veteran and Alaska Medal of Honor recipient lost his                                
life on a Glenn Highway bridge crossing the Knik River. Veterans join                               
me in supporting this proposal to rename this bridge the Sergeant                                   
James Bondsteel Bridge of Honor.                                                                    
                                                                                                    
James Leroy Bondsteel was born on July 18, 1947 in Jackson,                                         
Michigan. He died in a traffic accident on April 9, 1987 on bridge                                  
number 1121 on the Glenn Highway while returning to his home in                                     
Houston.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
Mr. Bondsteel contributed greatly to his country during three tours of                              
duty during the Vietnam War. As a Staff Sergeant, he was awarded the                                
Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry for actions in battle on                               
May 24, 1969. In that battle he destroyed 10 enemy bunkers and                                      
rallied his troops despite his own wounds.                                                          
                                                                                                    
Mr. Bondsteel remained in the Army after his Vietnam service. He                                    
was an infantry training instructor and a mentor to younger troops. He                              
retired from the Army in the mid-1980s and moved to Alaska to work,                                 
first as a counselor at the Wasilla Vet Center and later for the U.S.                               
Veteran's Administration in Anchorage. At the time of his death, Mr.                                
Bondsteel left behind a wife and two young daughters. He is buried at                               
the Ft. Richardson National Cemetery.                                                               
                                                                                                    
Fellow veterans on the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council asked that                                  
the state name bridge number 1121 in honor of Mr. Bondsteel. This                                   
gesture would be a fitting tribute to the memory of this Alaska hero                                
while recognizing the sacrifices all veterans have made for our                                     
country.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Tony Knowles                                                                                        
Governor