Sen. Bunde to be Honored for DNA Forensics Legislation; America’s Most Wanted Host Walsh to Present Award

Juneau – Sen. Con Bunde, R-Anchorage, will be honored in Philadelphia on July 22 for his contribution toward getting legislation passed to require DNA samples to be taken from suspected criminals when they are arrested for felonies or crimes against other persons.

The award will be presented by John Walsh, host of the television show, America’s Most Wanted, at a luncheon hosted by DNASaves.org in Philadelphia, PA. The luncheon is being held while legislators are in town for the annual convention of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

“I appreciate the honor, and am glad I was able to do my part to help modernize Alaska’s DNA database to better protect the public,” Bunde said. “It seemed to me that upon a felony arrest, a DNA sample should be taken, a modern day fingerprint, if you will. However, I will not be able to attend the luncheon, and have asked my colleague, Sen. Gene Therriault to accept this award on my behalf.”

Previous to 2007, the state’s DNA database was limited to criminals who had been convicted of a felony. As forensic DNA technology improved over time, states were able to share more DNA data with other jurisdictions, to better track criminals, and states began changing their laws to require taking DNA samples at the time of felony arrest. In 2007, during the time Bunde’s legislation to require this was being considered in committee, Kenneth Dion was arrested for the 1994 rape and murder of Bonnie Craig, providing the impetus to incorporate Bunde’s bill into an omnibus crime bill, House Bill 90.

Dion’s DNA match was made from a New Hampshire DNA database following an arrest for burglary. Karen Foster, Bonnie Craig’s mother, and others close to the Bonnie Craig case believe that if Alaska’s new DNA swabbing requirement had been in place in 1994, Dion would have been identified as the prime suspect within a year of her murder.

DNASaves.org was begun by the family of Katie Sepich, who was raped and murdered in 2003. It advocates for the adoption of laws requiring the taking of DNA samples upon felony arrest, also known as “Katie’s Laws.”

Therriault and Wagoner to Attend Legislative Energy Horizon Institute

Juneau – Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, and Sen. Tom Wagoner, R-Kenai, have been selected among 32 legislators from both the US and Canada to attend a comprehensive series of energy forums, the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute, which will examine the full spectrum of energy generation, infrastructure, regulation and government oversight. The objective of the Institute, which is sponsored in part by the University of Idaho with the support of the US Department of Energy, is to examine the complexity and policy questions surrounding current North American energy generation and distribution issues.

“It is an honor to be selected to attend the Energy Horizon Institute, which has the goal to keep a core group of policy makers up to date on the multitude of energy issues states will be wrestling with over the coming years,” Therriault said. “Energy, whether it is oil and gas, coal, electricity, or biomass, is vital to Alaska’s future, as an exporter of energy as well as for our own consumers. I look forward to putting the knowledge I gain at the Institute to work for Alaskans.”

“Maintaining a continuity of knowledgeable members in a legislative body, who are intimately familiar with the complex details you find with all energy issues, is really crucial to crafting productive, appropriate energy policy,” Wagoner said. “This is important to protecting the interests of Alaskans in these energy debates.”

Attendance at all sessions is mandatory for participants, who will receive a University of Idaho certificate at the conclusion of the program.  The first session of the program will be held in Boise, ID from July 12-16, and will include overviews of electric generation and transmission, natural gas, petroleum and strategic leadership. The program curriculum extends over a period of 18 months and will include seminar training as well as monthly “webinars” and other training materials.

“By accepting the invitation to participate in the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute, I look forward to not only bringing information back to Alaska, but also taking information about Alaska’s role in the global energy markets for members from other jurisdictions to consider” said Therriault.