HB 7-ROBERT E. BUSH VETERANS' MEMORIAL BRIDGE  1:08:14 PM CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 7, "An Act naming the bridge over the Kasilof River on the Sterling Highway the Robert E. Bush, Jr., Veterans' Memorial Bridge." 1:09:18 PM THOMAS WRIGHT, Staff, Representative Mike Chenault, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of the prime sponsor, Representative Mike Chenault, paraphrased from the sponsor statement, which read [original punctuation provided]: House Bill 7 was introduced at the request of the uncle of Robert Bush. Robert Bush passed away on July 12, 2007. He served with the United States Army and served his country in Operation Desert Storm. Upon his discharge he returned home and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This disease eventually claimed his life. His children drive over the Kasilof River daily and naming the bridge in Robert's honor would remind his family and the public of his contribution to his community and his country. 1:12:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ pointed out that the possessive apostrophe in Veterans' is not needed. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG agreed. He remarked at the number of people who supported this. MR. WRIGHT, in response to Chair Wilson, explained that Mr. Bush was not killed in action. He related widespread community support, and rather few negative comments. 1:13:51 PM CHAIR P. WILSON related that typically the legislature will name a bridge after a veteran if the veteran was killed in action. She asked how long he served. MR. WRIGHT responded that he does not have his service record. CHAIR P. WILSON surmised that Mr. Bush's illness or death was not connected to his military service. She asked for the committee's input since this is unusual. She remarked on the number of people that expressed interest in this bill. MR. WRIGHT commented that the area for the proposed memorial is more of a community than a town. 1:15:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked about the fiscal note. MR. WRIGHT referred to the fiscal note submitted by the DOT&PF in the amount of $3,700 dollars to install signs. 1:15:56 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated that he was not certain of the length of time of service for Mr. Bush. He said he was unaware of any instance in which the state has honored people who have died from diabetes. He commented from his personal experience his awareness of the deadliness of diabetes. He asked how committee members and the family would feel about naming the bridge the "Robert E. Bush, Jr. Memorial Bridge." This would honor not only Mr. Bush, but would also honor all people who suffer from diabetes. MR. WRIGHT offered that the sponsor would not object to that change. CHAIR P. WILSON characterized this solution as "a nice solution". REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG agreed. 1:17:28 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG made a motion to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1, on page 1, lines 2, 5, and 7 to strike "Veterans'". There being no objection, Conceptual Amendment 1, was adopted. CHAIR P. WILSON, after first determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 7. 1:18:14 PM REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ moved to report HB 7, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 7 was reported from the House Transportation Standing Committee.