[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 54 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4357-S4359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MURKOWSKI:
  S. 2032. A bill to designate the Federal building in Juneau, Alaska, 
as the ``Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building''; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.


                   hurff a. saunders federal building

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill that 
will dedicate the Juneau, Alaska Federal building in honor of Hurff 
Saunders who passed away in 1996. Hurff was a lifelong Alaskan who 
touched the lives

[[Page S4358]]

of countless people in Southeast Alaska and played an important role in 
Alaska's history both as a territory and as a state.
  Among his many accomplishments, Hurff was a federal government civil 
engineer in charge of the construction of the Juneau federal building. 
Typical of Hurff's efforts, the Juneau federal building project was 
completed on time and under budget. In addition, Hurff helped to 
correct many of the navigational charts for Southeast Alaska thereby 
assisting the United States Navy and the Coast Guard in safely carrying 
out their missions in southeast Alaska during World War II.
  I am privileged to have known Hurff and his family quite well. 
Hurff's wife Florence was one of my teachers as a young boy growing up 
in Ketchikan. Hurff and Florence were wonderful people, who left a long 
and lasting impression on those around them.
  Mr. President, I have received copies of a number of resolutions, 
including one passed by the City and Borough of Juneau, all requesting 
that the Juneau federal building be dedicated in Hurff's memory. Many 
other Alaskans who also knew Hurff have taken the time to write and to 
share their support.
  Hurff was a dedicated public servant who touched the lives of many 
Alaskans. Naming the Juneau federal building in his honor would be a 
fitting and lasting tribute to his memory.
  Finally, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of this 
legislation and supporting resolutions be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the items were ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2032

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF HURFF A. SAUNDERS FEDERAL BUILDING.

       The Federal building in Juneau, Alaska, shall be known and 
     designated as the ``Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the ``Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building''.
                                  ____


          Resolution of the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska

       Whereas, the late Hurff Saunders was a civil engineer 
     employed by the federal government in Alaska for many years, 
     and
       Whereas, Mr. Saunders served his fellow Americans and the 
     people of Alaska with distinction, beginning in world War II, 
     when he played a critical role in the ability of our U.S. 
     Navy and Coast Guard to navigate in North Pacific waters by 
     correcting official charts to show the true latitude and 
     longitude of aids to navigation, and
       Whereas, after the war Mr. Saunders worked as a civil 
     engineer for the federal government, supervising the 
     construction of many important projects throughout the 
     territory, then the state of Alaska, and
       Whereas, Mr. Saunders was the engineer in charge of 
     constructing the Juneau Federal Building, which, like most of 
     his projects, was completed on time and under budget, and
       Whereas, the career of Hurff Saunders exemplifies the best 
     qualities of public service in Alaska: perserverence, 
     efficiency, and a love of community; now therefore,
       Be it Resolved by the Assembly of the City and Borough of 
     Juneau, Alaska:
       Section 1. That the Alaska Congressional Delegation is 
     respectfully requested to endorse naming the Juneau Federal 
     Building the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building.
       Section 2. That the federal government cause a suitable 
     bronze plaque be affixed in a place of honor in the lobby of 
     the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building at the time of the 
     dedication ceremony.
       Section 3. That the clerk shall distribute copies of this 
     resolution to the Alaska Congressional Delegation.
       Section 4. Effective Date. This resolution shall be 
     effective immediately upon adoption.
       Adopted this 2nd day of February, 1998.
                                  ____


Resolution adopted by the Membership of the Juneau Rotary Club honoring 
                     the Memory of Hurff A. Sanders

       Hurff A. Saunders and Florence Saunders, married for over 
     70 years, moved from South Dakota to Ketchikan, prior to 
     World War II where he accepted the position of civilian 
     engineer for the United States Coast Guard.
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders played a critical role in the 
     ability of our U.S. Navy and Coast Guard to navigate in the 
     North Pacific waters by correctly determining the latitude 
     and longitude of various key aids to navigation that were in 
     place, but incorrectly located on official charts at the 
     time.
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders, in his capacity as civil 
     engineer, supervised the construction of many important 
     public works projects throughout the Territory and now State 
     of Alaska, completing the projects on schedule and within 
     budget.
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders was invited to become a member 
     of Rotary International, first in Ketchikan, then Juneau, and 
     was very active at all levels, from being elected president 
     of the Juneau Club, Governor of District 5010, and then on to 
     the board of directors of Rotary International.
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders accompanied by his wife Florence 
     Saunders, most times at their own expense, represented this 
     Rotary District at many Rotary International Conferences 
     throughout the world during his tenure as District Governor 
     and beyond.
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders led his private and professional 
     life according to his Christian beliefs and Rotary 
     International's highest standards, being recognized as a true 
     and effective leader.
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders, just before his retirement in 
     1966, successfully completed his last federal construction 
     project, the Juneau Federal Building, Post Office and Court 
     House, located on 10th Street, again under budget and on time 
     for a cost to the taxpayers of just $33.00 per square foot.
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders life peacefully ended August 
     29th, 1996 shortly after his 94th birthday, here at his home 
     in Juneau bringing him back together with his wife Florence 
     who passed on just a little over a year earlier.
       Whereas, the officers of the Juneau Rotary Club, and all 
     its members deeply miss the presence of Hurff A. Sanders: 
     Now, therefore be it hereby.
       Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Juneau Rotary 
     Club wish to petition the office of our United States Senator 
     Frank Murkowski, a former student of Florence Saunders in 
     Ketchikan, to assist us in having the Juneau Federal 
     Building, just newly remodeled, dedicated to the memory of 
     Hurff A. Saunders by naming the building the Hurff A. 
     Saunders Federal Building.
       Be it further resolved, That the federal government cause a 
     suitable bronze plaque be affixed in a place of honor in the 
     lobby of the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building at the time 
     of the dedication ceremony.
           Signed:
                                                   Robert Rehfeld,
     President, Juneau Rotary Club.
                                  ____


     Proposed Resolution 97-3, Rotary International District 5010, 
                     Conference at Girdwood, Alaska

       To honor fellow Rotarian and Past District Governor (1966-
     67) Hurff A. Saunders for a life time of dedication and 
     devotion to the Rotary Ideal ``Service above Self''.
       Whereas, the service to Rotary International by Hurff A. 
     Saunders, Past District Governor 1966-67 exemplifies truly 
     outstanding dedication and devotion, and
       Whereas, Past District Governor Saunders was a Rotarian for 
     over 50 years with membership first in the Ketchikan Rotary 
     Club and later with the Juneau Club and served as President 
     of both of these clubs, and
       Whereas, Past District Governor Saunders was chosen to be 
     District Governor of District 504 during the Rotary Year of 
     1966-67, and
       Whereas Hurff and his late wife continued the Rotary Ideal 
     ``Service above Self'' by visiting much of the Rotary World 
     as Chairman of Rotary International's World Community Service 
     Committee 1968 to 1970, and
       Whereas, Rotary history shows Rotarian Saunders continued 
     his dedication with multiple Paul Harris Fellowships, service 
     as Vice Chairman, RI Extension Committee 1970-71, and Rotary 
     Exchange South Africa 1972; it is hereby
       Resolved by Rotary International District 5010 that Past 
     District Governor Hurff A. Saunders truly possessed a full 
     measure of humanitarian attributes recognized not only by 
     Rotary International but also by his fellow Rotarians and his 
     community and that his dedication to ``Service above Self'' 
     is a credit to his family and friends.
       It is further resolved, that we as Rotarians of District 
     5010 by honoring his devotion and self sacrifice recognize a 
     truly outstanding inspired leader in the Rotary world.


                           purpose and effect

       To honor Past District Governor Hurff A. Saunders.
       Adopted at Conference assembled at Girdwood, Alaska, May 3, 
     1997.
                                  ____


Juneau Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers, A Resolution 
  Honoring Hurff A. Saunders, ``A competent man'', Adopted April 29, 
                                 1997.

       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders and Florence Saunders, married 
     for over 70 years, moved from South Dakota to Ketchikan prior 
     to World War II to work for the United States Coast Guard as 
     a civilian Civil Engineer; and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders played a critical role in the 
     ability of our U.S. Navy and Coast Guard to navigate in the 
     Northern Pacific waters by correctly determining the latitude 
     and longitude of the aids to navigation that were in place, 
     though incorrectly located on official charts at the time; 
     and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders, in his capacity as Civil 
     Engineer, supervised the construction of many public works 
     projects throughout the Territory and now State of Alaska, 
     bring in the projects under budget and on time; and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders, just before his retirement in 
     1966, successfully completed

[[Page S4359]]

     his last federal construction project, the Juneau Federal 
     Building, Post Office and Court House, located on 10th Street 
     in Juneau, again under budget and on time for $33.00 per 
     square foot; and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders, life peacefully ended August 
     29, 1996 shortly after his 94th birthday, here in Juneau; and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders, the officers of the Juneau 
     Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and all 
     its members deeply miss the presence of Hurff A. Saunders; 
     now, therefore, be it hereby
       Resolved, That the Officers of the Juneau Branch of the 
     American Society of Civil Engineers wish to petition the 
     office of our United States Senator Frank Murkowski, a former 
     student of Florence Saunders, to assist in having the Juneau 
     Federal Building, just remodeled, dedicated to the memory of 
     Hurff A. Saunders by naming the building the Hurff A. 
     Saunders Federal Building.
                                  ____

       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders and Florence Saunders, married 
     for over 70 years, moved from South Dakota to Ketchikan, 
     prior to World War II where he accepted the position of a 
     civilian engineer for the United States Coast Guard; and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders played a critical role in the 
     ability of our U.S. Navy and Coast Guard to navigate in the 
     North Pacific waters by correctly determining the latitude 
     and longitude of various keys to navigation that were in 
     place, but incorrectly located on official charts at the 
     time; and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders, in his capacity as a civil 
     engineer, supervised the construction of many important 
     public works projects throughout the Territory and now State 
     of Alaska, completing the projects on schedule and within 
     budget; and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders was invited to become a member 
     of Rotary International, first in Ketchikan, then in Juneau, 
     and was very active at all levels, from being elected 
     president of the Juneau Club, Governor of the District 501, 
     and then on to the board of directors of Rotary 
     International; and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders, accompanied by wife Florence 
     Saunders-most time at their own expenses, represented this 
     Rotary District at many Rotary International Conferences 
     throughout the world during his tenure as District Governor 
     and beyond; and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders, led his private and 
     professional life according to his Christian beliefs and 
     Rotary International's highest standards, being recognized as 
     a true and effective leader; and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders, just before his retirement in 
     1966, successfully completed his last federal construction 
     project, the Juneau Federal Building, Post Office and Court 
     House, located on 10th street, again under budget and on time 
     for a cost to the taxpayers of just under $33.00 per square 
     foot; and
       Whereas, Hurff A. Saunders life peacefully ended August 
     29th, 1996 shortly after his 94th birthday, here at his home 
     in Juneau bringing him back together with his wife Florence 
     who passed on just a little over a year earlier; and
       Whereas, the officers of the Alaska Society of Professional 
     Engineers and its members deeply miss the presence of Hurff 
     A. Saunders: now therefore be it hereby
       Resolved, that the Board of Alaska Society of Professional 
     Engineers--Juneau Chapter wish to petition the office of our 
     United States Senator Frank Murkowski, a former student of 
     Florence Saunders in Ketchikan, to assist us in having the 
     Juneau Federal Building, just newly remodeled, dedicated to 
     the memory of Hurff A. Saunder by naming the building the 
     Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building; and
       Be it further resolved, That the federal government cause a 
     suitable bronze plaque be affixed in a place of honor in the 
     lobby of the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building at the time 
     of the dedication ceremony.
     David Khan,
       President, Acting on behalf of the Board of Alaska Society 
     of Professional Engineers--Juneau Chapter.
                                 ______