01/20/1998 03:30 PM Senate STA

            SB 222 - NAMING ATWOOD BLDG IN ANCHORAGE                           
                                                                               
SENATOR GREEN brought up SB 222 as the first order of business.                
                                                                               
An amendment was proposed to SB 222 and moved by Senator Ward.                 
There was no objection and the bill was amended.                               
                                                                               
SENATOR KELLY, prime sponsor of the bill, explained the bill would             
name the newly acquired state office building in Anchorage after               
Mr. Robert B. Atwood, a 61-year resident of Alaska. He acknowledged            
Mr. Atwood as an entrepreneur who was involved in most of the                  
distinguishing events in the state during the 20th century. He                 
published the Anchorage times and was a pioneer of the oil industry            
and an advocate for education and statehood. He chaired the Alaska             
Statehood Committee and was a tireless visionary, said Senator                 
Kelly. He went on to say Mr. Atwood  was a leader and humanitarian             
and improved Alaska for us all. He would like to see him remembered            
by future generations.                                                         
                                                                               
SENATOR KELLY explained the amendment resolved a conflict with the             
lease agreement signed that allowed the Bank of America to retain              
its name on the building until 2002. He stated he did not want to              
pressure Bank of America and would be happy to name the building               
after 2002. However, the new language allows the possibility of a              
compromise between the State and the Bank of America before that               
time. He mentioned that the motivation behind the bill came from               
Representative John Cowdry and it was his intention that this bill             
reside in committee until Representative Cowdry's bill came from               
the house. Representative Cowdry's bill would then be the vehicle              
for the name change.                                                           
                                                                               
SENATOR WARD thanked Senator Kelly for the bill and cited Mr.                  
Atwood as his personal motivation behind running for office. He                
then made a motion to move the bill from committee with individual             
recommendations.                                                               
                                                                               
SENATOR GREEN mentioned there were people on line wishing to                   
testify and asked he hold his motion.                                          
                                                                               
SENATOR WARD agreed.                                                           
                                                                               
MS. KATIE HURLEY testified from Mat-Su. She endorsed Mr. Atwood as             
a visionary and advocate for Statehood. She applauded his tireless             
work in the face of adversity and cited his strong support as the              
key to victory in the 1946 vote on Statehood. Ms. Hurley credited              
Mr. Atwood as a proud supporter of the Alaska Constitution and a               
great leader. She believes it would be fitting for his name to be              
honored.                                                                       
                                                                               
MR. VICTOR FISHER from Anchorage agreed with Ms. Hurley, speaking              
on behalf of three living delegates to the Alaska Constitutional               
Convention. He echoed her testimony to the character and dedication            
of Mr. Atwood and expressed appreciation to Senator Kelly and                  
Representative Cowdry for introducing the bill.                                
                                                                               
MR. DOUG NORTH, from Anchorage representing Alaska Pacific                     
University, stated that Mr. Atwood was also a friend of private-hire education,
trustee. He attested to Mr. Atwood's strong character and lifelong             
vitality. He concluded his testimony saying he was pleased to                  
endorse the bill.                                                              
                                                                               
MR. KEITH GERKIN, representing the Department of Administration                
(DOA) stated that the amendment adopted satisfied his previous                 
concerns. He clarified that the lease expiration date was March 31,            
2002.                                                                          
                                                                               
Number 155                                                                     
                                                                               
SENATOR WARD repeated his motion to move SB 222 out of committee               
with individual recommendations.                                               
                                                                               
SENATOR GREEN noted no objection and the bill moved with individual            
recommendations and an accompanying fiscal note.