Legislature(2013 - 2014)BARNES 124
02/19/2013 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB46 | |
| HB56 | |
| HB94 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 94 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 46 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 94-CON AND NELLIE MILLER BRIDGES
1:39:32 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 94, "An Act naming the northbound Chena Flood
Channel Crossing Bridge the Nellie Miller Bridge and naming the
southbound Chena Flood Channel Crossing Bridge the Con Miller
Bridge."
1:39:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON, as prime sponsor of HB 94, asked to
read a prepared statement. He asked to read the sponsor
statement into the record, which read [original punctuation
provided]:
Conrad "Con" and Nellie Miller were some of the early
settlers of the City of North Pole, arriving there in
1950. Con joined the Navy after leaving home at the
age of 15 and served in China from 1927 to 1931. He
worked on the construction of the Hoover Dam after a
brief stint as a sheriff and private investigator. He
later re-enlisted in the Navy during World War II,
serving in the South Pacific.
Nellie was one of 15 children raised in Idaho Springs,
Colorado and married Con in 1938 at the age of 15.
Like many of Alaska's early pioneers, Nellie and Con
moved to Alaska in 1950 with $1.40 in their pocket and
seeking a new beginning for their small family.
Con and Nellie Miller built their first business, a
clothing store, in Fairbanks and Con travelled to
rural communities to sell his wares. When he
travelled, he often donned a red crushed velvet Santa
suit, part of the stock the couple brought north from
a previous business. As they began to build their
store in North Pole in 1952, a child of a customer
from Northway asked Con if he was building a house for
Santa Claus and the name stuck. The store became
Santa Claus House.
Con and Nellie were known as Santa and Mrs. Claus and
their family store brought worldwide attention to the
City of North Pole, Alaska. The store has grown and
evolved over time into the icon that stands today,
including the 42-foot, 900 pound Santa Claus statue
outside that entices visitors from around the globe to
celebrate Christmas year-around.
Con was the longest serving mayor of North Pole,
dedicating 19 years of leadership. In 1952 he
carried the city's incorporation papers to Juneau. He
also served as North Pole's postmaster and civil
defense director for 20 years as well as serving as
the fire chief. Nellie served on the local school
board, as the postmistress and as the town's
magistrate and marriage commissioner.
The Millers raised three children: sons, Terry and
Mike; and daughter, Merry Christmas Miller. Their two
sons served in both the Alaska State House and the
Alaska State Senate and hold the distinction of being
the only two siblings in the United States to have
presided as Senate President. Terry Miller also
served as Lt. Governor.
For their commitment to Alaska and their role in
developing the City of North Pole, it is fitting that
the Chena Flood Channel Bridges be named for these two
distinguished Alaskans. The Northbound Bridge #1364
shall be known as the Nellie Miller Bridge and the
Southbound Bridge #1866 shall be known as the Con
Miller Bridge.
1:43:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON remarked that the Millers are a great
family in Alaska. He asked for clarification on whether the
sponsor would like the sign to read, "Conrad Miller, or Con
Miller" since the sign will be made.
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON answered Conrad Miller has always been
known as Con Miller. He acknowledged it may be a good
distinction and perhaps the sign could read, "Conrad 'Con'
Miller." He asked his staff to speak to the name for Mr.
Miller's sign.
1:44:47 PM
BRENDA HEWITT, Staff, Representative Doug Isaacson, Alaska State
Legislature, speaking on behalf of Representative Isaacson,
sponsor of HB 94, stated that the family suggested using "Con"
[Miller] as the name for the [southbound Chena Flood Channel]
Bridge. She realized "Con" is a nickname or shortened name, but
that's how the family felt most people would recognize Mr.
Conrad Miller.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON said the legislature is memorializing two
great Alaskans so he just wanted to ensure that the name was
correct.
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON suggested he would entertain a friendly
amendment to the bill to consider changing the name to the
"Conrad 'Con' Miller Bridge."
CHAIR P. WILSON suggested the committee use the name the family
suggested since they indicated a preference for "Con Miller."
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON agreed.
1:46:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS asked how many bills name
structures each year in the DOT&PF's Northern Region.
1:47:01 PM
STEVE TITUS, Regional Director, Northern Region, Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), answered that the
number of structures named typically total one each session. He
recalled three structures were named in one bill last session.
1:47:34 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON noted no one was signed up to testify on the
bill. She remarked that former Representative Mike Miller said
he was very appreciative of the bill and the family will truly
appreciate this honor.
[The committee treated HB 56 as having public testimony closed.]
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON referred to an [e-mail] in members'
packets from commended this action from Peter Marshall, M.D.
1:48:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved to report HB 94 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note. There being no objection, HB 94 was reported from the
House Transportation Standing Committee.
1:48:44 PM