Senate Republican Minority Gearing Up for 25th Legislature
Caucus Announces Committee Requests

JUNEAU — The five members of the new Senate Republican Minority expressed optimism regarding their role in the upcoming 25th Legislative Session and made public their requests for committee assignments today.

“While we are disappointed with the chain of events that led to the formation of the Senate minority caucus, we believe we have the experience and expertise to make a meaningful contribution during the upcoming session,” said Senator Gene Therriault, who has been chosen by his colleagues to serve as minority leader. “Between us we have more than 50 years experience in the Legislature. We have requested committee assignments that will capitalize on the skills we have accumulated and allow us to best represent our constituents and the State.”

Therriault also expressed frustration that the Senate Majority rejected the minority’s request to appoint one of their two members with the most experience to fill the minority’s seat on the Senate Finance committee. The caucus had requested that either Senator Gary Wilken or Senator Con Bunde be allowed to represent them on the Finance Committee, but were turned down by the majority leadership.

Senator Wilken has served on the Finance Committee for eight years, four as co-chairman. Senator Con Bunde has served on Finance eight years, four in the House and four in the Senate.

“While we had hoped to seat one of our most experienced members, I am confident Senator Dyson will provide leadership and a balanced perspective to the Committee,” Therriault said.

The minority has recognized leaders in education, resource development, labor issues, health and social services, gas pipeline and resource tax negotiations.

“We expect to use this experience to work with members of both the House and Senate on both sides of the aisle to address the major issues affecting Alaska,” Therriault said.

Below are the committee assignments requested by the Senate Republican Minority:

• Committee on Committees: Senator Gene Therriault
• Community & Regional Affairs: Senator Tom Wagoner
• Finance Committee: Senator Fred Dyson
• HESS Committee: Senator Fred Dyson
• Judiciary: Senator Gene Therriault
• Labor & Commerce: Senator Con Bunde
• Resources: Senator Tom Wagoner
• Rules: Senator Gene Therriault
• State Affairs: Senator Con Bunde
• Transportation: Senator Gary Wilken
• World Trade & State/Federal Relations: Senator Tom Wagoner
• Joint Armed Services Committee: Senator Gary Wilken
• Legislative Budget & Audit: Senator Gene Therriault
• Legislative Council: Senator Gary Wilken
• Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: Senator Con Bunde, Senator Gary Wilken, Alternate

December 28, 2006

Senator Lyda Green
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99802-1182

Dear Senator Green:

On two previous occasions, first on December 15 and again on December 22, the Senate Republican Minority formally submitted the names of our two most experienced finance members, Senator Con Bunde and Senator Gary Wilken, to be seated on the Senate Finance Committee. In a telephone conversation yesterday, December 27, 2006, you indicated that your fellow Senate Republican Majority members have denied our requests to seat either of those two senators on the Senate Finance Committee.

While we find it imprudent that the two most qualified members of the Senate Republican Minority will be denied the ability to serve the citizens of this state on the Finance Committee, we recognize that it is within the power of the majority to make that determination.

In light of your decision, we have finalized, and are now formally submitting the attached list of the Senate Republican Minority members’ preferences for placement on each of the committees. We believe that these assignments are in the best interest of our constituents and the citizens of the State of Alaska.

Sincerely,

Senator Gene Therriault

cc: Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Bert Stedman
Senator Charlie Huggins
Senator John Cowdery

Session: State Capitol, Room 423 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Toll Free: (800) 964-5733 Phone: (907) 465-2828 Fax: (907) 465-4779 Send E-Mail: Send Public Opinion Message Interim: 145 Main St. Loop Suite 226 Kenai, Alaska 99611 Phone: (907) 283-7996 Fax: (907) 283-8127

Date/Place of Birth:
September 19, 1942
Pylesville, Maryland

Residency in Alaska:
Kenai: 1969 – present

Occupation:
Small Businessman
Commercial Fisherman
Salt Water Charter Captain

Family:
Wife – Dorothy
Two Children – Dawn and Denise

Education:
Pomeroy High School: Graduated – 1960
Eastern Washington University:
1966 – BA Technical Design
1969 – B.A. Education
University of Alaska Anchorage:
1980 – M.A. Education Administration

Alaska State Senate: 2003 – present
Chair, Community & Regional Affairs Committee, 2003
Chair, Resources Committee: 2005 – 2006
Co-Chair, Transportation Committee: 2004
Vice-Chair, Community & Regional Affairs Committee: 2004
Vice-Chair, Resources Committee: 2003 – 2004
Vice-Chair: State Affairs Committee: 2005 – 2006
Community & Regional Affairs Committee: 2005 – present
Legislative Council Joint Committee: 2003, 2004 – 2006
Resources Committee: 2007 – 2008
Transporation Committee: 2003
World Trade & State Federal Relations: 2005 – present
Finance Subcommittees:
- Corrections: 2007 – 2008
- Court System: 2003 – 2004
- Fish & Game: 2003 – 2004, 2007 – 2008
- Labor and Workforce Development: 2005 – 2006
- Law: 2003 – 2004
- Natural Resources: 2003 – 2008
- Public Safety: 2003 – 2004
- Revenue: 2005 – 2006

- Transportation & Public Facilities: 2003 – 2004
Other Political and Government Positions:
Former Mayor, City of Kenai
Former Member, Kenai City Council
Alaska Post Secondary Committee
Alaska Student Loan Corporation.

Business and Professional Positions:
Commercial Fisherman
Owner, Wagoner’s Seamless Flooring: 1967 – 1968
Owner, Wagoner’s Flooring: 1971 – 1975
Owner, Peninsula Flooring Center: 1986 – 1993
Kenai Peninsula Community College, Kenai
- Former Education Coordinator
- Business Manager/Budget Officer
- Dean of Vocational Education
- Dean of Instruction
Member/Former President, Kenai Chamber of
Commerce.

Service Organizations and Community Involvement:
Charter Member, Kenai Rotary Club

Special Interests:
Lapidary Arts, Golf, Sport Fishing

Session: State Capitol, Room 504 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Toll Free: (800) 892-4843 Phone: (907) 465-4843 Fax: (907) 465-3871 Send E-Mail Send Public Opinion Message Interim: 716 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 400 Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: (907) 269-0181 Fax: (907) 269-0184

Date/Place of Birth:
August 4, 1938
Mankato, Minnesota

Residency in Alaska:
Ketchikan: 1961 – 1962
Anchorage: 1968 – present

Occupation:
Retired University of Alaska, Anchorage Professor
Retired Commercial Pilot

Family:
Adult Children – Joylene, Kurt

Education:
Mankato High School, Minnesota:
Graduated 1956
Central Washington University: 1962 – 1966
- B.S. Speech Pathology
Central Washington University: 1967 – 1970
- M.S. Speech and Hearing Pathology
Anchorage Community College: 1984
- UAA Professional Piloting

Military Service: 3 years service
U.S. Army, Specialist 4th Class

Alaska State Senate: 2003 – present
Chair, Labor & Commerce Committee: 2003 – 2006
Vice-Chair, Finance Committe: 2003 – 2006
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: 2007 – 2008
Labor and Commerce Committee: 2007- 2008
Legislative Budget & Audit Joint Committee: 2003 – 2004
State Affairs Committee: 2007 – 2008
Finance Subcommittees
- Chair, Administration: 2003 – 2004
- Chair, Labor & Workforce Development: 2003 – 2006
- Chair, Law: 2003 – 2004
- Chair, Natural Resources: 2003 – 2006
- Fish & Game: 2005 – 2006
- Labor & Workforce Development: 2007 – 2008
- Public Safety: 2007 – 2008
- Revenue: 2007 – 2008
- Transportation & Public Facilities: 2007 – 2008
- University of Alaska: 2003 – 2004

Alaska State House of Representatives: 1993 – 2002
Chair, Special Committee on Education: 2001 – 2002
Chair, Health, Education & Social Services Committee: 1997 – 1998
Co-Chair, Long Term Care Task Force: 1997 – 1998
Co-Chair, Health, Education & Social Services Committee: 1993 – 1996
Vice-Chair, Finance Committee: 1999 – 2002
Vice-Chair, Judiciary Committee: 1997 – 1998
Vice-Chair, Rules Committee: 1995 – 1996
Legislative Budget & Audit Committee: 1995 – 2000
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: 1997 – 1998
Special Committee on Oil & Gas: 1997 – 1998
Judiciary Committee: 1995 – 1996
Community & Regional Affairs Committee: 1993 – 1994
Resources Committee: 1993 – 1994
Finance Subcommittees:
- Chair, Fish & Game: 1999 – 2002
- Chair, Public Safety: 2001 – 2002
- Chair, Revenue: 1999 – 2000
- Natural Resources: 1999 – 2000
- Education: 1993-94, 1997-98
- Court System: 1995 – 1996
- Fish & Game: 1993 – 1998
- University of Alaska: 1993 – 1998

Other Political and Government Positions:
Alaska Board of Fish and Game South-central
Citizens Advisory Committee

Business and Professional Positions:
Professor, University of Alaska, Anchorage
- Speech Communication
Commercial Pilot for various companies: 1974 – 1997

Service Organizations and Community Involvement:
National Rifle Association
Aircraft Owners & Pilots’ Association
Alaska Outdoor Council
Alaskan Bow Hunters Association
Alaska Airmen’s Association
National Conference of State Legislatures – Executive Committee Member
Commissioner/Former Vice-Chair, Education
Commission of the States

Awards and Recognitions:
University of Alaska, Anchorage Outstanding Educator of the Year: 1991
Award of Recognition from Alaskans for Tobacco Free Kids
Award of Recognition from Alaska Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind Council
Community Service Award from the Alaska Public Health Association Safety Award for Seatbelt Legislation from the National Transportation Safety Board

Special Interests:
Community Theater, Aviation, Hunting, Fishing, Dog Mushing, Master Instructor, Bow Hunter Education

Session: State Capitol, Room 121 Juneau, AK 998091-1182 Toll Free: (800) 342-2199 Send E-Mail Send Public Opinion Message Interim: 10928 Eagle River Rd., Suite 238 Eagle River, AK 99577 Phone: (907) 694-6683 Fax: (907) 694-1015

Date/Place of Birth:
January 16, 1939
Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Residency in Alaska:
Anchorage: 1964
Fairbanks: 1965 – 1968
Anchorage: 1970 – 1976
Eagle River: 1976 – present

Occupation:
Mariner, mechanical engineer, marine science consultant, technical writer, former commercial fisherman, charter boat operator

Family:
Wife – Jane, since May 28, 1966
Children – Cindy Dyson-McGlen, Wendy Shaw, Jana Oztergut
Seven grandchildren
Many foster children

Education:
Highline High School, Seattle, Washington:
University of Washington: 5 years – Mechanical Engineering
- Graduate courses:
Mechanical Engineering, Arctic Engineering
& Management

Alaska Senate: 2003 – present
Chair, Health, Education & Social Services Committee: 2003 – 2006
Armed Services Joint Committee: 2003 – 2006
Finance Committee: 2003 – 2008
Health, Education & Social Services Committee: 2007 – 2008
Legislative Council Joint Committee: 2003
Ombudsman Selection Committee: 2007 – 2008
Resources Committee: 2003 – 2006
Victim’s Advocate Selection Committee: 2007 – 2008
Finance Subcommittees:
- Chair, Administration: 2003 – 2006
- Chair, Military & Veterans’ Affairs: 2004 – 2006
- Chair, Public Safety: 2004 – 2006
- Administration: 2007 – 2008
- Community & Economic Development: 2003
- Education & Early Development: 2003
- Environmental Conservation: 2004 – 2005
- Health & Social Services Committee: 2007 – 2008
- Labor and Workforce Development: 2003
- Military & Veterans’ Affairs: 2003, 2007 – 2008
- Revenue: 2004 – 2005
- University of Alaska: 2003 – 2008
Chair, Children’s Caucus: 2003 – present

Alaska State House of Representatives: 1997 – 2002
Chair, Health, Education & Social Services: 1999 – 2002
Special Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Tourism: 1999 – 2002
Special Committee on Fisheries: 1999 – 2002
Special Committee on Oil & Gas: 1999 – 2002
Community & Regional Affairs Committee: 1997 – 2000
Electric Utility Restructuring Joint Committee: 1997 – 1998
Resources Committee: 1997 – 1998
Special Committee on Telecommunications: 1997 – 1998
Finance Subcommittees
- Court System: 2001 – 2002
- Health & Social Services: 1997 – 2002
- Corrections: 1997 – 2000
- Fish & Game: 1999 – 2000
Chair, Children’s Caucus: 2001 – 2002
Co-Chair, Children’s Caucus: 1997 – 1998
Anchorage Caucus: 1999 – 2000

Other Political and Government Positions:
Health Commission: 2001 – present
Alaska Fisheries Task Force: 2001 – present
- Council of State Governments
Anchorage Municipal Assembly: 1985 – 1991
Chugiak/Eagle River Chamber of Commerce
Pacific Northwest Economic Region
- Vice President/President: July 2003 – 2005
U.S. Energy Council Executive Board
Business and Professional Positions:
Commercial Fisherman, salmon and herring: 1976 – 1999
- Owner/Captain, Marine Charter Service
Consultant, Technical Writer: 1985 – present
Maintenance Engineer, British Petroleum: 1972 – 1984
Boating columnist, Anchorage Times;
Anchorage Daily News
Contributing Editor, Alaska Boating Magazine

Service Organizations and Community Involvement:
Chugiak/Eagle River Chamber of Commerce
Eagle River Community Council
National Rifle Association
Alaska Right to Life
Former Member, Eagle River Community Council;
Former Member, Eagle River Limited Road Service Area Board;
Former Member, Alaska State Human Rights Commission;
Former Member, Chugach State Park Citizens Advisory Board;
Former Member, Anchorage Library Commission;
Former Member, Anchorage Aquatic Resources Commission

Special Interests:
Mechanical antiques restoration, cars, guns, boats, tools, history, outdoor sports, and reading