04/24/2007 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION

           SB 158-SHIRLEY DEMIENTIEFF MEMORIAL BRIDGE                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:23:41 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KOOKESH announced SB 158 to be up for consideration.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
DOROTHY  SHOCKLEY, aide  to  Chair Kookesh,  sponsor  of SB  158,                                                               
explained that  Ms. Shirley Demientieff was  a community activist                                                               
and leader and  the bill will name a bridge  near Fairbanks after                                                               
her. She referenced a photo provided to the committee.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR KOOKESH explained the photo to the committee.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:26:04 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR OLSON asked for the current name of the bridge.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MS. SHOCKLEY replied that it doesn't have one.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:26:27 PM                                                                                                                    
REVEREND  SCOTT  FISHER,  Rector   at  St.  Matthews,  Fairbanks,                                                               
representing  himself,  said   that  he  was  a   friend  of  Ms.                                                               
Demientieff's  for 30  years and  had suggested  a statue  of her                                                               
originally,  but her  compassion for  those who  were in  need or                                                               
hurting makes the idea of naming a bridge after her is ideal.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:29:45 PM                                                                                                                    
WILLIAM   LORD,  commander   of  the   Alaska  Native   Veteran's                                                               
Association,  Nenana, applauded  the  idea of  naming the  bridge                                                               
after Ms.  Demientieff. He said  she was connected to  the Alaska                                                               
Native  veterans  through  her   work  with  the  Alaska  Natives                                                               
Veterans Honor Bridge  and he thought it would  be appropriate to                                                               
have that  small bridge connected  to the Alaska  Native Veterans                                                               
Bridge.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:30:57 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  OLSON asked  if Mr.  Lord  was the  only testifier  from                                                               
Nenana.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. LORD replied yes.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR OLSON asked for the  sentiment of the community regarding                                                               
the bill.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. LORD said that many people are in support of the bill.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:31:44 PM                                                                                                                    
TIM  WALLIS,  Doyon Properties,  said  he  supported SB  158  and                                                               
complimented Ms. Demientieff's character.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:32:37 PM                                                                                                                    
HARRY   FIELDS,   Vice    President,   Alaska   Native   Veterans                                                               
Association, said  that he  supported the  bill and  talked about                                                               
his relationship with Ms. Demientieff.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:33:54 PM                                                                                                                    
BENNO CLEVELAND,  President, Alaska Native  Veterans Association,                                                               
said  that he  supported the  bill and  that Ms.  Demientieff was                                                               
very  supportive   of  the  association;   he  spoke   about  his                                                               
admiration for her.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:37:10 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved  to report SB 158  from committee with                                                               
individual  recommendations and  attached  fiscal note(s).  There                                                               
were no objections and it was so ordered.