SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE March 30, 2000 1:52 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Jerry Ward, Chairman Senator Drue Pearce, Vice Chair Senator Rick Halford MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Mike Miller Senator Georgianna Lincoln COMMITTEE CALENDAR SENATE BILL NO. 291 "An Act naming the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport." MOVED SB 291 OUT OF COMMITTEE PREVIOUS SENATE ACTION SB 291 - No previous Senate action. WITNESS REGISTER Pam Labolle, President Alaska State Chamber of Commerce 217 2nd St. Juneau, Alaska 99801 POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 291 Duane Heyman, Executive Director Commonwealth North 810 N St. #202 Anchorage, AK 99501 POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 291 Nancy Usera Commonwealth North 810 N St. #202 Anchorage, AK 99501 POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 291 Michael Kean Anchorage Economic Development Corporation 900 W 5th Ave. #300 Anchorage, AK 99501 POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 291 Frank Dillon Alaska Trucking Association 3443 Minnesota Dr. Anchorage, AK 99501 POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 291 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 00-04, SIDE A CHAIRMAN WARD called the Senate Transportation Committee meeting to order at 1:52 p.m. Present were Senators Pearce and Halford and Chairman Ward. Chairman Ward announced the Committee would take public testimony on SB 291. SB 291-TED STEVENS ANCHORAGE INT'L AIRPORT MS. PAM LABOLLE, President of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, stated enthusiastic support for SB 291 and noted that Senator Stevens' efforts and work for Alaska's growth and infrastructure have been significant. MR. DUANE HEYMAN, Executive Director of Commonwealth North, a non- profit, non-partisan, public policy organization, stated wholehearted support for SB 291. He noted the accomplishments of Senator Stevens are too long to list. He added that SB 291 provides a significant educational opportunity in that over 1 million people per year go through the airport. Renaming the airport will provide the opportunity to expose them to a great Alaskan. It is also a major economic engine for the State and the publicity surrounding the renaming of the airport will be a major marketing opportunity for the airport to take advantage of. Furthermore, he said some people expressed concern that naming the airport after Senator Stevens might constrain his ability to raise money for the airport. Mr. Heyman said he asked Senator Stevens that question directly and was told it will have the opposite effect and his ability to raise money for the airport will be enhanced. Number 246 MRS. NANCY USERA, representing the executive committee of Commonwealth North, and the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, expressed support for SB 291 because Senator Stevens' accomplishments are legendary. Number 320 MR. MICHAEL KEAN, Transportation Director of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, read a letter from Larry Crawford, President, into the record. The Anchorage Economic Development Corporation has part of its mission to expand and diversify the Anchorage economy and helps market the Anchorage International Airport (AIA). AIA is an important economic interest of the State. It is strategically located as a global logistics center for the Northern hemisphere. AEDC supports SB 291 that would rename the AIA as the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. It is an appropriate tribute to our State's senior Senator. Senator Stevens has done much for Alaska, as well as our nation, and is well respected throughout this country. FRANK DILLON, Alaska Trucking Association (ATA), expressed enthusiastic support for SB 291. The ATA hopes that SB 291 will not preclude in the future, when a road is built to Nome or Bethel or elsewhere, naming the road for our great Senator. There being no further testimony or questions, SENATOR PEARCE moved SB 291 out of committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, the motion carried. CHAIRMAN WARD adjourned the meeting at 1:59 p.m.