JUNEAU -- Emphasizing the need for public trust in the integrity of the Legislature, House Speaker Brian Porter presided today over House confirmation of legislative and public members of the House Select Committee on Legislative Ethics.

"Alaskans are fortunate in having a code of ethics that holds legislators to the highest standards of integrity," Porter said. "The members we confirmed to the Ethics Committee today will help us meet these standards in all our actions as public servants."

The House unanimously confirmed Rep. Joe Green (R-Anchorage) and Rep. Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau) as the House members of the Ethics Committee, with Porter and Rep. Ethan Berkowitz (D-Anchorage) as alternates. The House also confirmed Dennis "Skip" Cook of Fairbanks and Thomas P. Owens Jr. of Anchorage as public members.

"The success of our system of government depends on the public trusting their elected representatives to conduct themselves according to the highest ethical standards," said Green. "I trust they will always do so. But if there is ever any doubt, the Ethics Committee will investigate allegations thoroughly, without fear or favor."

Cook, the current chair of the Ethics Committee, is a partner in the law firm of Cook, Schuhmann & Groseclose and has completed his first three-year term on the committee. Owens, a partner in the law firm of Owens & Turner, is serving on the committee for the first time.

The Ethics Committee was established in 1993 as part of a sweeping rewrite of Alaska's legislative ethics laws. It is responsible for preventing violations of these laws by educating legislators and the public, and for investigating alleged complaints and recommending sanctions. Its five public members serve three-year terms, and four legislative members serve two-year terms.

The other public members are Connor Thomas of Nome, Curt Wallace of Kenai and Shirley McCoy of Juneau. Senate nominees to the committee are Sen. John Torgerson (R-Kasilof) and Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel), with Sen. Drue Pearce (R-Anchorage) and Sen. Bettye Davis (D-Anchorage) as alternates.

The Ethics Committee plans to hold its first meeting of the year on Wednesday to elect officers and perform other organizational tasks.

Broadcasters note: Audio comments are available on the Majority Actuality line, 1-800-478-6540
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