Legislature(2017 - 2018)
2017-01-23 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2017-01-23 Senate Journal Page 0070 SB 33 SENATE BILL NO. 33 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act naming the state ferries built in Ketchikan and entering Alaska marine highway system service on or after 2017; 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 Governor's transmittal letter dated January 20: Dear President Kelly: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to establish the authorized names for the State ferries built in Ketchikan and entering the Alaska Marine Highway System service on or after 2017. Currently, two Day Boat Alaska Class Ferries are under construction at Vigor Alaska in Ketchikan. As required by Alaska law, each vessel bears the name of an Alaska glacier. One ferry will be named the Motor Vessel Tazlina and the other the Motor Vessel Hubbard. 2017-01-23 Senate Journal Page 0071 Last year, I called on Alaska students to submit essays on potential names for the vessels. The Lieutenant Governor and I reviewed and selected two names from those suggested in the hundreds of essays submitted. One of the winning essays was by Tanalian School 7th grader, Malea Voran, who proposed the name "Tazlina." In her essay she explained that "Tazlina," an Ahtna Athabascan name meaning "swift river," is an appropriate name for a ferry, which should be named after something swift and agile. "This name would remind us that even small things are capable of doing big things. This small boat could be named after something big and inspiring," Malea wrote. The Tazlina Glacier begins 1.6 miles north of Mt. Cushman, flows north 25 miles to its terminus one mile south of Tazlina Lake and 43 miles north of Valdez. Tazlina Glacier was named in 1898 by W. C. Mendenhall of the U.S. Geological Survey for the Tazlina River. The other winning essay was by Eagle River High School 10th grader, Taylor Thompson, who suggested the name "Hubbard," which, unlike many glaciers, has been thickening and advancing into Disenchantment Bay for over a century. Taylor noted "this glorious slab of ice has defied its predisposition and proved to be a true wonder. An Alaskan ferry should be just as incredible," Taylor wrote. The Hubbard Glacier flows southeast and southwest 80 miles to its terminus at Disenchantment Bay, 34 miles north northeast of Yakutat in the St. Elias Mountains. Hubbard Glacier was named for Gardiner G. Hubbard, 1822-1897, a regent of the Smithsonian Institution and founder and president of the National Geographic Society. Hubbard was interested in the exploration of Alaska and helped instigate Israel Cook Russell's 1890 and 1891 expeditions, which were sponsored by the National Geographic Society and the U.S. Geological Survey. Like you, I look forward to seeing these beautiful vessels sail in Alaska waters for years to come. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Bill Walker Governor