03/19/2009 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB29 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 29 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 19, 2009
8:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Herron, Co-Chair
Representative Cathy Engstrom Munoz, Co-Chair
Representative John Harris
Representative Wes Keller
Representative Sharon Cissna
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Charisse Millett
Representative Berta Gardner
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 29
"An Act naming the Capitol Annex the Thomas B. Stewart
Legislative Office Building."
- MOVED SB 29 OUT OF COMMITTEE
OVERVIEW: SOUTHEAST ALASKA INERTIE
- REMOVED FROM AGENDA
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 29
SHORT TITLE: NAMING THOMAS B. STEWART LEG. OFFICE BLDG
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) ELTON
01/21/09 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/09
01/21/09 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/21/09 (S) STA
02/26/09 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 211
02/26/09 (S) Moved SB 29 Out of Committee
02/26/09 (S) MINUTE(STA)
02/27/09 (S) STA RPT 4DP
02/27/09 (S) DP: MENARD, KOOKESH, PASKVAN, MEYER
03/02/09 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
03/02/09 (S) VERSION: SB 29
03/09/09 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/09/09 (H) CRA, STA
03/19/09 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
KRISTEN BRESSETTE, Staff
Senator Kim Elton
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 29 on behalf of the sponsor,
Senator Elton.
CALEB STEWART
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke as the son of Judge Stewart during
hearing of SB 29.
KATIE HURLEY
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed hope that SB 29 would move
forward.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:03:38 AM
CO-CHAIR CATHY ENGSTROM MUNOZ called the House Community and
Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:03
a.m. Representatives Munoz, Herron, Keller, and Harris were
present at the call to order. Representative Cissna arrived as
the meeting was in progress.
SB 29-NAMING THOMAS B. STEWART LEG. OFFICE BLDG
8:03:52 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ announced that the only order of business would
be SENATE BILL NO. 29, "An Act naming the Capitol Annex the
Thomas B. Stewart Legislative Office Building."
8:04:24 AM
KRISTEN BRESSETTE, Staff, Senator Kim Elton, Alaska State
Legislature, related the following:
SB 29 would name the Capitol Annex the Thomas B.
Stewart Legislative Office Building in honor of Judge
Thomas B. Stewart and his countless contributions to
the State of Alaska. The Capitol Annex was formerly
known as the Scottish Rite Temple and is currently
under renovation with an estimated completion date of
the renovation of Capitol Annex is August 31, 2009.
Tom Stewart was an exemplary Alaskan and extremely
honorable. He was a decorated war veteran, serving in
th
World War II as a US Army Captain of the 10 Mountain
Division Ski Troops in the Italian Alps for which he
earned bronze and silver stars. He served as an
assistant attorney general, served in the territorial
House of Representatives. He was a driving force
behind the Alaska Constitutional Convention. Tom
travelled around the country on his own dime to
research and collect information on other states'
constitutions prior to the convention. Tom was the
secretary of the convention, which was ultimately key
to statehood. Tom served as a senator in the first
session of the Alaska Legislature and served as a
Superior Court judge. He served in all three branches
of government.
Tom was known and respected for his character, wisdom,
th
and leadership. As we celebrate Alaska's 50
anniversary of statehood this year, it's an
appropriate time to honor Tom Stewart.
MS. BRESSETTE noted that [the committee packet should include]
letters of support from former Governors Hickel and Cooper.
Governor Palin has also expressed support for SB 29.
8:06:19 AM
CALEB STEWART, speaking as the son of Judge Stewart, thanked the
committee for hearing SB 29. He mentioned his appreciation for
Co-Chair Munoz signing on as a cross sponsor of SB 29. Although
this is exciting, there isn't unanimity in the family as one
individual wants trails to be named after Judge Stewart and
believes SB 29 may interfere with that effort. Mr. Stewart
expressed hope that naming the Scottish Rite Temple after his
father might help those younger citizens to stop and ponder the
history of Judge Stewart.
8:07:59 AM
KATIE HURLEY, expressed hope that SB 29 would move forward. She
then mentioned that Tom was the chair of the legislative
committee in 1955 and saw to it that the convention was held in
Fairbanks. The aforementioned was the key to the penning of
Alaska's very successful constitution, she opined. She noted
that she was the Secretary of the Senate in 1955.
8:10:40 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ recalled that Judge Stewart was a good friend of
her father-in-law both of which where adventurous outdoorsmen.
She further recalled that Judge Stewart offered beautiful
remarks at her wedding.
MR. HURLEY related that Judge Stewart graduated from Juneau
Douglas High School where he was a great debater and editor of
the Totem in 1936.
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ characterized Judge Stewart as a great man,
dedicated father, dedicated husband, and dedicated neighbor.
8:12:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS moved to report SB 29 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
8:13:22 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 8:13 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 29 - Hickel Supp. Ltr 031609.doc |
HCRA 3/19/2009 8:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HCRA 3/19/2009 8:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Letters of Support.pdf |
HCRA 3/19/2009 8:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HCRA 3/19/2009 8:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |