Date/Place of Birth:
October 16, 1938 Livingston, Texas

Residency in Alaska:
Anchorage: 1962 - 1966, 1968 - 1984 Wasilla: 1984 - present

Occupation:
Former Business Owner and Educator

Spouse:
Husband - Curtis, since 1961

Children:
Children - Shelton, Bradley, Kristie Leaf Grandchildren - Kelsie, Connor, Caleb, Noah, Daniel, Torri, Meijan, and Jiabao

Education:
Brazosport High School; Freeport, Texas: 1952 - 1956 Sam Houston State University; Huntsville, Texas: 1956 - 1959 University of Alaska Anchorage: 1986 - 1988 - Slingerland Language Arts Certification

Alaska State Senate:
1995 - present Co-Chair, Finance Committee: 2003 - present Chair, Health, Education & Social Services Committee: 1995 - 1996, 2001 - 2002 Chair, State Affairs Committee: 1997 - 1998 Vice-Chair, Health, Education & Social Services Committee: 2003 - 2004 Vice-Chair, State Affairs Committee: 1999 - 2000 Vice-Chair, Resources Committee: 1997 - 1998 Vice-Chair, Judiciary Committee: 1995 - 1996 Administrative Regulation Review Joint Committee: 2001 - 2004 Legislative Budget & Audit Joint Committee: 2003 - present Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: 2003 - 2004 State/Federal Research & Development Committee: 2001 - 2004 Health, Education & Social Services Committee: 1997 - 1998, 2003 - present Finance Committee: 1999 - 2002 Resources Committee: 1999 - 2000 Legislative Council Joint Committee: 1997 - 1998 Transportation Committee: 1995 - 1998 Finance Subcommittees: - Chair, Community & Economic Development: 1999 - 2000 - Chair, Corrections: 2003 - present - Chair, Court System: 2003 - present - Chair, Governor's Office: 2003 - 2004 - Chair, Health & Social Services: 2001 - present - Chair, Labor: 1999 - 2000 - Chair, Legislature: 2003 - 2004 - Chair, Transportation and Public Facilities: 2005 - present - Vice-Chair, Public Safety: 2001 - 2002 - Administration: 1997 - 2000 - Court System: 1995 - 1996 - Education: 1995 - 1996 - Labor: 1997 - 1998 - Natural Resources: 1997 - 1998 - University of Alaska: 2001 - present Matanuska Susitna Caucus: 1995 - 2000

Political and Government Positions:
Matanuska-Susitna Caucus: 1999 - 2000 Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute: 1997 Energy Council: 1997 Legislative Management: 1997 Reapportionment Task Force: 1997 Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education: 1991 - 1994 Department of Education Special Education Regulations Task Force: 1993 - 1994

Business and Professional Positions:
Former Owner, The Study (education/tutorial) Adjunct Instructor, Mat-Su Community College: 1991 - 1993 Instructor's Assistant, UAA: 1991 Co-Owner, Anchorage Racquet Club: 1978 - 1988 Teacher, West High School: 1963 - 1964 Administrative Assistant, Pan American Petroleum (AMOCO): 1962-63, 1964-65

Service Organizations and Community Involvement:
Active in Palmer First Baptist Church Former PTA/PTO school volunteer Former Member and President, Mt. McKinley Lioness Club Former Chair, Miners and Trappers Ball Life Member - National Rifle Assocation Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Palmer Lion's Club

Special Interests:
Family, Reading, Bridge, Piano, Traveling, Tennis