04/08/1999 03:32 PM Senate STA

                                                                                                                                
             SB 102-TROOPER HECK MEMORIAL CORRIDOR                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR GEORGIANNA LINCOLN, sponsor of SB 102, and Holly Sherouse,                                                              
legislative intern to Senator Lincoln, took the witness stand.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LINCOLN explained that SB 102 is a straightforward piece of                                                             
legislation that she introduced after Laurie Heck, the widow of                                                                 
Trooper Bruce Heck, contacted her.  Trooper Heck was a well                                                                     
respected, 15 year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers, who died                                                               
on the Glenn Highway last year while in the line of duty.  SB 102                                                               
concurrently names the portion of the Glenn Highway between                                                                     
milepost 128 and milepost 189 the "State Trooper Bruce A. Heck                                                                  
Memorial Corridor."                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HOLLY SHEROUSE informed committee members that Reverend Tom                                                                     
Thompson was unable to attend today's meeting however he asked her                                                              
to submit a petition in support of SB 102 signed by 481 people from                                                             
Slana, Paxton, Eureka, Mentasta, Tyco River and all residents along                                                             
the named stretch of the Glenn Highway.  The Greater Copper Valley                                                              
Chamber of Commerce also submitted a letter in support of SB 102.                                                               
As a resident of Tok and acquaintance of Trooper Heck, she believes                                                             
SB 102 is a fitting bill to honor a person who died in the line of                                                              
duty.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN WARD asked Senator Lincoln to convey to Mrs. Heck that the                                                             
Senate State Affairs Committee members very much appreciate the                                                                 
sacrifice that her family has made on behalf of the State.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR GREEN asked how the Glenn Highway will be concurrently                                                                  
designated.  SENATOR LINCOLN stated the highway will have two signs                                                             
along that section of the highway.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked if milepost 128 to milepost 189 of the                                                                   
highway is close to Nilchina.  SENATOR GREEN replied Nilchina is at                                                             
mile 135 and Glennallen is at mile 189.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON thanked Senator Lincoln and Ms. Sherouse and moved SB
 from committee.  There being no objection, SB 102 moved to its                                                              
next committee of referral.