June 12th, 2009

SENATOR
JOHNNY ELLIS

Working hard
Solving problems
Getting things done

716 W 4th Suite 500
Anchorage, AK 99501
907.269.0167
888.330.3704
fax 269.0172

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Contact Other Elected Officials:
Senator Mark Begich,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5915
EMAIL: Sen. Mark Begich

Congressman Don Young,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-5978
EMAIL: Rep. Don Young

Senator Lisa Murkowski,
Anchorage Office:
907-271-3735,
EMAIL: Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Governor Palin's Anchorage
office may be reached at
269-7450, or email her at
sarah.palin@alaska.gov
You can also visit the state
website at www.state.ak.us

PURPLE HEART TRAIL DEDICATION
Ellis Honors Veterans on D-Day Anniversary

Friends and Neighbors,

         Last weekend, I traveled to Delta Junction as the keynote speaker for the dedication of the Purple Heart Trail.  This honorary designation for the Alaska Highway from Fairbanks to the Canadian border recognizes the sacrifices of the thousands of Americans who have been killed or wounded defending our nation in battle. 

On Saturday, I was honored to be the keynote speaker at a ceremony dedicating the Alaska Highway as a part of the Purple Heart Trail.  Along with Rep. Berta Gardner, I sponsored the legislation that  added Alaska to this nationwide effort.

         The idea was originally proposed by the national leader of the Purple Heart Trail movement, Ron Siebels, who lives in the Tudor area.  Rep. Berta Gardner and I were the original sponsors of the legislation, which added Alaska to the 43 other states and territories who have given a section of their interstate highway system this designation.  The distinctive green and purple signs have already been installed – look for them if you travel north this summer.

Sen. Joe Paskvan (D-Fairbanks), Gordon Severson, Senate Majority Leader Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage), Ron Siebels, and Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom (R-Eagle River) at the Purple Heart Trail dedication in Delta Junction. 

ELLIS APPOINTED TO RULES COMMITTEE

         This week, I added a new role to my duties – membership on the Senate Rules Committee.  This committee is in charge of scheduling bills for the Senate floor and administering the Senate when the Legislature is not in session.  The spot opened up when Sen. Kim Elton resigned in March to join the Department of the Interior as the Director of Alaska Affairs.  In related changes, Senator Dennis Egan (D-Juneau) will be joining the Finance and Judiciary Committees, and Senators Joe Thomas (D-Fairbanks) and Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage) will take over co-chairmanship of the Education Committee.

         Until next week,

        Senator Johnny Ellis