HB 507-NAMING WEIGH STATION AND BIKE TRAIL CHAIR KOHRING announced that the first matter before the committee would be HOUSE BILL NO. 507, "An Act naming the Trooper Roelle Memorial Weigh Station and the Officer Wollam Memorial Bike Trail; and providing for an effective date." Number 0185 JUDY OHMER, Staff to Representative Pete Kott, Alaska State Legislature, presented HB 507 on behalf of Representative Kott, chair of the House Rules Standing Committee, which had sponsored the legislation. She said HB 507 is a commemorative bill that honors some of Alaska's fallen heroes who gave their lives in the service of others. The bill names the northbound weigh station at mile 10.6 of the Glenn Highway after Trooper Hans- Peter Lothar Roelle, and names the Glenn Highway Bike Trail after Officer [Justin Todd] Wollam. MS. OHMER said Trooper Roelle is remembered for his dedication to his work and devotion to his family. Two of the letters in the bill packet are from his children, conveying memories of him. She also told of the love and support expressed by his co- workers and neighbors. Ms. Ohmer quoted from one of the letters, "Hans' commitment led him to pay the ultimate price of giving his life for the sake of others. This is truly an example of unquestionable love of mankind and heroism." MS. OHMER told of the large number of not just patrol cars, but also 18-wheel trucks at Trooper Roelle's funeral. She called him a model of bravery and a hero in both life and death. She said his children want all the people who drive by the Glenn Highway Weigh Station to remember their father. Number 0390 MS. OHMER informed members that Officer [Justin] Todd Wollam is remembered for his outstanding service to the community and his love of family. He'd quickly earned the admiration of his fellow officers with his enthusiasm for law enforcement and his special way with people. She said Officer Wollam was killed in the line of duty, making the ultimate sacrifice. MS. OHMER told of a sign at a recent memorial service that read: "Not all heroes live in New York." She said HB 507 provides a fitting tribute to these great Alaskans and acknowledges the continuing appreciation of the state, and a visual remembrance. Acknowledging these officers reaffirms the values of the community and country, and is responding to what another trooper called "the better angels of our nature." Number 0465 CHAIR KOHRING noted that [their deaths were] a great loss to the communities of Anchorage and the Mat-Su area, and that he considered both officers heroes. He said HB 507 would provide a fitting tribute. Number 0490 DENNIS POSHARD, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, testified before the committee. He told the committee the department had no objection to the bill and said it had worked with the area police and trooper associations to erect signage in the area. He said the bike path to be renamed would be rebuilt in 2003. A plaque would be placed at an appropriate pull-off. Number 0610 MS. OHMER asked if the committee would want to add the full name of Officer Wollam to the bill. It would be changed to "Officer [Justin] Todd Wollam". CHAIR KOHRING said he thought it would be prudent to put both full names in the bill for the sake of consistency. Number 0638 CHAIR KOHRING offered the foregoing as a conceptual amendment. There being no objection, [conceptual Amendment 1] was adopted. Number 0657 REPRESENTATIVE MASEK offered [Amendment 2, 22-LS1601\A.1, Chenoweth, 4/2/02], which read: Page 1, line 1, following "Station": Delete "and" Insert "," Page 1, line 2, following "Trail": Insert ", and the Joseph L. Perkins Bridge" Page 1, following line 9: Insert new material to read: "Sec. 35.40.160. Joseph L. Perkins Bridge. The bridge at mile 56.5 of the Seward Highway, popularly known as the Canyon Creek Bridge, is named the Joseph L. Perkins Bridge." REPRESENTATIVE MASEK explained that it is a fitting amendment because Commissioner Perkins [of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities] has done a great job statewide for the transportation system. She said Alaskans could take pride in seeing the bridge named after Commissioner Perkins. Number 0831 CHAIR KOHRING asked whether there was any objection. There being no objection, [Amendment 2] was adopted. Number 0841 REPRESENTATIVE MASEK moved to report HB 507, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 507(TRA) was moved out of the House Transportation Standing Committee. CHAIR KOHRING returned the committee's attention to testimony on the bill. Number 0882 FRANK DILLON, Alaska Trucking Association, testified via teleconference. He said the trucking industry is pleased to see recognition of Trooper Roelle and Commissioner Perkins. Number 0918 BRAD BROWN, Do Right Trucking, testified via teleconference. He said the industry and the law-enforcement community appreciate the recognition for Officers Wollam and Roelle. [CSHB 507(TRA) was moved out of committee.]