ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE  April 12, 2011 1:04 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT  Senator Albert Kookesh, Chair Senator Joe Thomas, Vice Chair Senator Dennis Egan Senator Linda Menard Senator Charlie Huggins MEMBERS ABSENT  All members present COMMITTEE CALENDAR  HOUSE BILL NO. 214 AM "An Act naming the Ketchikan ferry terminal the Walter L. Kubley Ketchikan Ferry Terminal." - MOVED HB 214 AM OUT OF COMMITTEE HOUSE BILL NO. 213 "An Act naming the pathway parallel to the section of Eagle River Loop Road connecting Old Glenn Highway with North Parkview Terrace Loop the Mark Hufford Trail." - MOVED HB 213 OUT OF COMMITTEE PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HB 213 SHORT TITLE: NAMING MARK HUFFORD TRAIL SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) FAIRCLOUGH 03/29/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/29/11 (H) TRA 04/05/11 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17 04/05/11 (H) Moved Out of Committee 04/05/11 (H) MINUTE(TRA) 04/06/11 (H) TRA RPT 6DP 04/06/11 (H) DP: JOHNSON, FEIGE, MUNOZ, PETERSEN, GRUENBERG, PRUITT 04/07/11 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 04/07/11 (H) VERSION: HB 213 04/08/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/08/11 (S) TRA 04/12/11 (S) TRA AT 1:00 PM BUTROVICH 205 BILL: HB 214 SHORT TITLE: WALTER L. KUBLEY FERRY TERMINAL SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JOHANSEN 03/29/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/29/11 (H) TRA 04/05/11 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17 04/05/11 (H) Moved Out of Committee 04/05/11 (H) MINUTE(TRA) 04/06/11 (H) TRA RPT 6DP 04/06/11 (H) DP: GRUENBERG, PETERSEN, JOHNSON, FEIGE, MUNOZ, PRUITT 04/08/11 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) 04/08/11 (H) VERSION: HB 214 AM 04/11/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/11/11 (S) TRA, FIN 04/12/11 (S) TRA AT 1:00 PM BUTROVICH 205 WITNESS REGISTER REPRESENTATIVE KYLE JOHANSEN Alaska State Legislature Juneau, AK POSITION STATEMENT:  Sponsor of HB 214. KIM SKIPPER, Staff Representative Fairclough Alaska State Legislature Juneau, AK POSITION STATEMENT:  Introduced HB 213 on behalf of the sponsor. ACTION NARRATIVE 1:04:11 PM  CHAIR ALBERT KOOKESH called the Senate Transportation Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:04 p.m. Senators Egan, Huggins, and Kookesh were present at the call to order. Senators Thomas and Menard joined the committee soon thereafter. HB 214-WALTER L. KUBLEY FERRY TERMINAL  1:04:20 PM CHAIR KOOKESH announced the consideration of HB 214 naming the Ketchikan ferry terminal 1:04:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE KYLE JOHANSEN, sponsor of HB 214, spoke to the following sponsor statement: Walter was integral in writing the legislation that created the Alaska Marine Highway System. As the 'Father of the Alaska Highway System,' he had fond memories of bringing his family on the maiden voyage of the M/V Malaspina. The ferry sailed from Seattle to Ketchikan in 1963 with Walter's cousin, Capt. Harold Paine, at the helm and Governor Egan in the wheelhouse. Walter dove into politics by serving on the Ketchikan City Council from 1957 to 1960. He would be elected twice to the Alaska House of Representatives, serving in the second and third Alaska Legislatures from 1961 through 1964. While in the legislature, Walter became known for his ability to deal with people on both sides on the political aisle in a fair and bipartisan manner. He often said 6 of his greatest years were spent lobbying with his son, Donnie. Together they fought for the same communities and issues that Walter had championed his entire life. Kubley's career endeavors made him a trusted confidant to U.S. Senators, Representatives, Governors and State Legislators. His friendship to the late Senator Ted Stevens was one of Walter's most cherished relationships and he was an honorable pallbearer at the Senator's funeral services. Even in retirement, Walter remained active in The Elks, Royal Order of the Moose, Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion. He is remembered as a visionary, a great leader in the state and a dear friend to many. 1:07:13 PM SENATOR EGAN said he remembers the maiden voyage of the M/V Malaspina from Seattle to Alaska and he believes it's an honor to name the Ketchikan terminal after Wally Kubley. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN said the House passed an in memoriam citation that will be presented to the family. A photo and citation that references then Governor Egan riding up in the wheelhouse with Mr. Kubley will also be placed inside the ferry terminal. This will welcome people coming to Alaska and invite them to enjoy the state as Wally enjoyed it. CHAIR KOOKESH closed public testimony and asked for a motion Senators Menard and Thomas joined the committee. 1:09:01 PM SENATOR EGAN moved to report HB 214 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). CHAIR KOOKESH announced that without objection, HB 214 AM moved from the Senate Transportation Standing Committee. HB 213-NAMING MARK HUFFORD TRAIL  1:09:25 PM CHAIR KOOKESH announced the consideration of HB 213. 1:09:49 PM KIM SKIPPER, staff to Representative Fairclough, introduced HB 213 speaking to the following sponsor statement: Mark Hufford was an avid handcyclist who competed seven times in the Sadler's Alaska Challenge wheelchair and handcycle competition. The Alaska Challenge, known as the "Tour de France" of wheelchair sports, is the world's longest and toughest wheelchair and handcycle race that starts in Fairbanks and ends in Anchorage. Twice Mark won the Speedy Sourdough Award for the fastest Alaskan. He helped motivate his competitors and encouraged them throughout the races. He was known throughout the handcycle community not only in Alaska but nationally and created a lot of awareness for the sport. He was often seen riding his handcycle in Eagle River - enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and improving his skills. Mark was a resident of Eagle River, Alaska and a graduate of Chugiak High School. Tragedy struck in 1995 when a hunting accident left Mark a paraplegic and in a wheelchair. This did not slow him down, but gave him more determination. He continued with his education and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from the University of Alaska Anchorage and helped others overcome their disabilities while working at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Sadly, Mark passed away in January 2011 but he left an indelible mark on those that were encouraged by him and for the sport of handcycling. The community of Eagle River will miss seeing him during the summer months as he made his way on the many bike trails in the area. It would be a fitting tribute to Mark and his family to remember him by naming this local trail in his memory. MS. SKIPPER noted that the bill has a zero fiscal note. CHAIR KOOKESH closed public testimony and asked for a motion. 1:11:59 PM SENATOR HUGGINS moved to report HB 213 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There CHAIR KOOKESH announced that without objection, HB 213 moved from the Senate Transportation Standing Committee. 1:12:20 PM There being no further business to come before the committee, Chair Kookesh adjourned the meeting at 1:12 p.m.