Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/28/2000 01:35 PM House TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 434 - TED STEVENS ANCHORAGE INT'L AIRPORT CHAIRMAN HALCRO announced the first order of business as House Bill 434, "An Act naming the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport." Number 0051 JOEL LOUNSBURY, Staff to Representative Brian Porter, Alaska State Legislature, came before the committee to present the bill. He noted that HB 434 was introduced on behalf of Commonwealth North Inc. He referred the committee members to sponsor statement contained in the bill packet, and stated that most everyone is aware of U.S. Senator Stevens' many accomplishments over the years. He deferred any further comments to representatives of Commonwealth North Inc. CHAIRMAN HALCRO opened the meeting to public testimony. Number 0103 DUANE HEYMAN, Executive Director, Commonwealth North Inc., testified via teleconference from Anchorage. Commonwealth North Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy organization dedicated to educating Alaskans about key public policy issues relevant to the state. They encourage leadership in addressing key issues through an annual award, in which, Senator Stevens has been chosen this year; the event is scheduled for July 8, 2000. MR. HEYMAN continued. Commonwealth North whole heartedly supports the renaming of the Anchorage International Airport to, "Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport," in recognition of his many accomplishments for and on behalf of Alaska. He cited statehood, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Denali Commission, and the deregulation of the airline industry as examples of his many accomplishments. He further stated that the renaming of the airport is an unprecedented opportunity for publicity and marketing, for Senator Stevens has indicated that he is interested in bringing a wide range of military and business dignitaries to Alaska at that time. Senator Stevens has also indicated that the renaming of the airport to include his name would not inhibit his ability to raise money for the airport, contrary to expressed concerns. Senator Stevens indicated that it might in fact be easier to raise money in the interest of helping a fellow esteemed congressman. Commonwealth North urges the committee members to pass HB 434 out of committee today. Number 0360 JAMIE LINXLIEER, President, Commonwealth North Inc., testified via teleconference from Anchorage. The board of directors unanimously support HB 434, for over the years Senator Stevens has been advocating for Alaska before Congress and defending the state against the incursion of the federal government. Senator Stevens has also been an effective national leader, for he has served as majority whip, chairman of the Defense Appropriations Committee, and most recently as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Stevens has been responsible for delivering funding to the state for many valuable federal programs, including maintaining the presence of the military in the state. He cited the anti-ballistic missile program in Delta Junction as an example. Senator Stevens has also been instrumental in furthering the interests of Alaska Natives. He cited the Aleut Reparations Act, the Alaska Native Arts and Cultural Development Act, the Alaska Native Education Equity Act, and the Higher Education Act as examples of efforts that have benefited not only Alaska Natives but the rest of Alaskans, for they have improved the quality of education and the social fabric of the state. He also noted that Senator Stevens was instrumental in the enactment of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and its many amendments over the years. He urged the committee members to pass HB 434 out of committee today. Number 0596 LEE GORSUCH, Member, Commonwealth North Inc., testified via teleconference from Anchorage. He is also the chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage. He is not here to testify today as a representative of the university, even though it would be appropriate, for Senator Stevens is a friend of the aviation program at the university and of creating educational opportunities for those who want to study aviation. He is here today to testify on behalf of Commonwealth North, an organization founded on the mission of fostering sound public policies in order to strengthen the development and future prosperity of Alaska. In that regard, Senator Stevens' many contributions have been legendary, and the recent designation as "Alaskan of the Century" reflects those efforts as well. He further stated that the naming of a public facility is to memorialize those who have made significant contributions to Alaska's history. Naming the former Hill Building after Bob Atwood, a champion of statehood, is a good example. Similarly, it seems appropriate, he said, to name the Anchorage International Airport after the state's distinguished senior senator. The Anchorage International Airport is particularly important for the following reasons: 1) It is the transportation hub for all Alaskans. Most who travel in and out of the state go through Anchorage. 2) It is the gateway for well over a million visitors who come to the state each year. 3) It is rapidly becoming the world's premiere air cargo airport and expanding into a logistics center. 4) It is the sister airport to Elmendorf Air Force Base. Senator Stevens has made enormous contributions in support of the United States Armed Forces and particularly the military presence in the state. MR. GORSUCH continued. He hopes that those four reasons are sound enough for the House and Senate to unanimously support the passage of HB 434. Number 0889 MICHAEL KEAN, Transportation Director, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation [AEDC], testified via teleconference from Anchorage. The AEDC conducts marketing work for the Anchorage International Airport and the Municipality of Anchorage. The airport is an important economic engine for the state, he said, as well as strategically located as a global logistics center for the Northern Hemisphere. The AEDC feels that the renaming of the airport is a wonderful tribute to the state's senior senator, for he is well respected throughout the country. The AEDC respectfully urges the committee members to pass HB 434 out of committee. Number 0968 GERALD HOOD came before the committee to testify. He is the chief executive officer for the Teamsters Union Local 959, and a member of Commonwealth North Inc. He is testifying today, however, as a private citizen. A person doesn't have to look far, he said, in any direction of the state to see the handiwork of Senator Stevens. It's just and fitting to bestow this honor on him. He urged the committee members to pass HB 434, for any further testimony would be redundant. Number 1020 PAMELA LaBOLLE, President, Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, came before the committee to testify. The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce strongly supports and urges the committee members to pass HB 434 out of committee. It's hard to image, she said, another single individual who has put a lifetime of work into benefitting the state and the people of the state as Senator Stevens. CHAIRMAN HALCRO closed the meeting to public testimony. Number 1072 CHAIRMAN HALCRO offered a conceptual amendment to insert the language, "and providing for an effective date", after the word, "Airport", on line 1; to renumber the lines accordingly; and to insert an effective date of "July 8, 2000" on the new line 7. Number 1109 REPRESENTATIVE BILL HUDSON made a motion to adopt the conceptual amendment as indicated by Chairman Halcro. There being no objection, it was so adopted. Number 1119 REPRESENTATIVE BEVERLY MASEK made a motion to move HB 434, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note; she asked unanimous consent. There being no objection, CSHB 434(TRA) so moved from the House Transportation Standing Committee.
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