[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 28, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S4150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      REMEMBERING BEN GRUSSENDORF

 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, today I wish to memorialize a great 
Alaskan, Mr. Ben Grussendorf. A public servant, master teacher, 
community activist, legislator, outdoorsman, and all-around gentleman, 
Ben Grussendorf died June 17, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 48 
years, Karen, son Tim, daughter Karla, and four grandchildren.
  Born February 23, 1942, in Grand Rapids, MN, Ben attended the 
University of Minnesota, where he earned a B.A. in political science 
and an M.A. in political science education.
  In 1967, eager to fish, hunt, and hike, Ben and Karen moved to Sitka, 
AK, to teach. Ben taught government and social sciences at Sitka High 
School and Sitka Community College, but his attraction to politics and 
government soon drew him to help shape a strong future for his adopted 
community. Ben was elected to the Charter Commission, and became its 
chair, leading the effort to write unification documents which continue 
to govern the city and borough of Sitka. He was subsequently elected 
for two terms to serve as mayor of this unified government. In 1980, 
Sitka voters sent him to the State House of Representatives where he 
served 10 terms, a full 20 years.
  In the legislature, Ben earned a reputation as a diplomat. He was a 
man who focused on problems and solutions rather than party and 
politics. The respect he showed by listening to differing viewpoints 
opened the door for people of all backgrounds and political persuasions 
to create a climate of compromise. Ben knew true leadership was born, 
not in brazen ideas or self-promotion, but in the ability to win allies 
and build coalitions. Because of his ability to nurture friendships on 
both sides of the aisle, he was elected as Speaker of the House for an 
unprecedented three terms.
  As speaker, Ben brokered compromises which put the public first. Fair 
to everyone, his calm composure and down-home sense of humor defused 
tension and brought people together; his vision and diplomacy kept them 
focused on the greater good.
  Throughout his tenure in the House, Ben was renowned for his 
patience, discretion, and expertise. He knew the nooks and crannies 
both of the legislative process and the issues. Colleagues relied on 
him for inside knowledge of Alaskan politics to affect change and make 
a difference. They remember him as an important teacher and mentor, one 
who led by example.
  When Ben announced his retirement from the Legislature in 2000, he 
cited his original Alaska draw--time to hunt, fish, and walk his dogs. 
Because of his passion for wildlife and capitalizing on his legislative 
expertise, Governor Tony Knowles convinced him to accept appointment to 
the Alaska Board of Game in 2001. There, he put his listening and 
diplomatic skills to further use, tackling important challenges such as 
caribou herd management and subsistence policy. His effectiveness and 
diplomacy earned him successive reappointments by Governors Murkowski, 
Palin, and Parnell.
  Whether hunting, fishing, hiking, gardening, or just observing, Ben 
was an outdoorsman at heart. He was also a writer who kept a journal, 
wrote short stories and drafted manuscripts about subjects he well 
understood--politics and nature.
  Ben Grussendorf's devotion to Sitka and to Alaska, whether as a 
teacher, a legislator, a member of the Board of Game, or a member of 
community service organizations, was inspirational. He made a 
difference with every commitment, and his years of working on issues 
important to people throughout the State will be part of his legacy as 
an Alaska statesman. He will be deeply missed by his family and his 
many friends.

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