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Senate committee hears support for renaming Ruby airport after pilot Harold Asmalka
Summary
Senate State Affairs took testimony May 6 on SB152, a bill to rename Ruby Airport for longtime bush pilot Harold Asmalka; invited witnesses including Asmalka’s daughter, the mayor of Ruby and a regional tribal leader testified in favor.
Juneau — The Senate State Affairs Committee on May 6 heard testimony supporting Senate Bill 152, which would rename the Ruby Airport in western Alaska for longtime bush pilot Harold Asmalka.
Sponsor Sen. Mike Cronk introduced the bill with a sponsor statement emphasizing Asmalka’s decades-long service as a pilot, air-service entrepreneur and community figure in interior Alaska. Cronk described the bill as a way the legislature honors “community leaders and extraordinary citizens.”
Three invited witnesses gave testimony supporting the renaming. Cynthia Erickson, who identified herself as Harold Asmalka’s daughter, described growing up in Ruby with her father as a bush pilot and said the proposed name would honor his role mentoring native pilots and serving remote communities. “I was so proud to fly home from boys’ school dad and have the whole family meet us at the airport,” Erickson told the committee, recounting flights, medevac work and community service across the Yukon River communities.
Katie Kangas, mayor of Ruby, said Asmalka helped the village move from an unlit landing strip to a modern field and that the city received more than 60 letters of support for the renaming. Chief Charlie Green, a regional Alaska Native leader, testified that Asmalka is a role model for Alaska Native youth and urged the committee to permit the dedication while Asmalka is still living.
There were no questions from committee members for the invited witnesses. Sponsor Cronk notified the committee that he plans to move SB152 out of committee on Thursday, with a floor action anticipated Friday. The committee set SB152 aside for further consideration at the Thursday hearing.
