Alaska State Legislature
News for the Office of Senator John Torgerson

State Capitol, Room 514
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-2828
http://www.akrepublicans.org/pastlegs/Torgerso.htm
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Hermain Leirer - Exit Glacier Road

For Immediate Release: March 23, 1998 Contact: Mary Jackson, Aide to Senator John Torgerson, at (907) 465-2828.

Juneau – Senate Bill 251 was passed by the Alaska State Legislature this week. The bill renames the Exist Glacier Road near Seward the "Herman Leirer Road". It was passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House and is forwarded to the Governor for his signature.

"Herman was so involved in developing that road; it’s natural to call it the Herman Leirer road" said Senator John Torgerson. As prime sponsor of the measure, Torgerson had earlier predicted little difficulty with renaming the road, noting that many other legislators had co-sponsored the bill.

The road provides the only access to Exit Glacier and has made it a prime tourist destination for the Seward area. According to Seward Mayor Bob Satin, a National Park Ranger and geologist, over one million visitors have been able to access the glacier since the completion of the road. The Seward City Council passed a resolution in support of the measure.

Mr. Leirer, a Seward resident since 1924, died last November at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife Winnie, who lives in Seward.

"This name designation is a fitting recognition of Herman’s contribution to his community", Senator Torgerson stated. "It is a lasting memorial to a man who was a pillar of the community in many ways."

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