HB 345-SAM SCHUYLER MEMORIAL BRIDGE  1:18:46 PM CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 345, "An Act designating the bridge to be built on the Dalton Highway at approximately mile post 308 as the Sam Schuyler Memorial Bridge." 1:19:15 PM MARGARET DOWLING, Staff, Representative Jay Ramras, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, on behalf of the prime sponsor, explained that Sam Schuyler was a beloved employee. The Dalton Highway is sometimes lonely and harsh place. Thus, friendships made along that road are often "forged like steel". The Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has indicated the existing DOT&PF budget can absorb the cost of any signage. She paraphrased from the sponsor statement, as follows [original punctuation provided]: HB 345 gives the name the "Sam Schuyler Memorial Bridge" to a bridge that will be built at mile post 308 on the Dalton Highway. Sam Schuyler was a well loved and respected Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) employee who spent his entire career working along the Dalton Highway. Sam began his career with DOT&PF as a heavy equipment operator at the Jim River Maintenance Station, milepost 135 of the Dalton Highway. Sam immediately exhibited a spirited tenacity that set him apart from his peers. This trait caused Sam's career to rise rapidly. He was promoted to Foreman of the Jim River Maintenance Station and from there he quickly became the Dalton District Roving Foreman. In this position, Sam frequented every mile of the Dalton Highway and he was personally involved in the everyday functions of each maintenance camp. Throughout Sam's storied career, he routinely placed the needs of friends and coworkers ahead of his own. He based his leadership on the principle "lead by example." Sam never asked an employee to take on a job he would not do himself. His men knew him well and respected him immensely. Sam was dedicated to the Dalton Highway, often personally overseeing a project to ensure that the job was completed on time and within budget. This dedication is reflected in Sam's favorite saying, "Get 'er Done!" This often-used phrase, coupled with another favorite saying, "Can Do!" earned Sam the respect of other maintenance workers and the respect of the famous Dalton Highway truckers. Sam's work ethic and his heartfelt commitment to improving the Dalton Highway are appreciated by travelers who drive this road today. He left the Dalton Highway in a much better condition than he found it. Sam's life ended unexpectedly on January 1, 2007. He was still a DOT&PF employee when he passed away. 1:20:58 PM MEADOW BAILEY, Public Information Officer, Northern Region, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) stated, on behalf of the Maintenance & Operations (M&O), and other DOT&PF employees who worked with the Alaska Trucking Association, Inc. to support this bill. She stated that Sam Schuyler worked on the Dalton Highway for 23 years and died suddenly. He was a knowledgeable manager who was loved by his employees and was someone would help out anyone in need. The DOT&PF employees and the Alaska Trucking Association, Inc. employees were very excited at the prospect of honoring Mr. Schuyler by naming a memorial bridge in his honor. 1:22:28 PM MS. BAILEY, in response to Representative Gruenberg, identified Mr. Schuyler as the man in orange in the photograph in members' packets. 1:23:03 PM REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked which river the bridge will cross and if there is an existing bridge at the site. MS. BAILEY related that currently a culvert exists at the site, but as part of reconstruction project on the Dalton Highway this summer the DOT&PF plans to install a small bridge in a section of the Dalton Highway on which Sam Schuyler worked. In response to Chair P. Wilson, she clarified that the existing culvert collapsed and the DOT&PF has recommended replacing it with a bridge. 1:24:10 PM HOWARD THIES, Director, Maintenance & Operations (M&O), Northern Region, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) stated that Sam Schuyler was a great employee and this would be a great tribute to him and to the people who drive and work on the Dalton Highway. 1:24:55 PM CLARK MILNE, Engineer, Maintenance & Operations (M&O), Northern Region, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), stated that he worked with Sam Schuyler and the reason truckers and crew thought was good idea is that Sam was "one of those big-hearted neat guys." He was the assistant superintendent for a number of years. He stated that Sam got along well with everyone and solved problems. He emphasized that Sam loved the Dalton Highway. He said he thought this would be a gesture that would remind people of Sam Schuyler. MR. THIES interjected that Sam Schuyler knew the Dalton Highway and would provide maintenance when truckers identified areas in need of repairs. 1:26:07 PM CHAIR P. WILSON, after first determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on on HB 345. 1:26:25 PM REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ moved to report HB 345 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, HB 345 was reported from the House Transportation Standing Committee.