Max Foorman Gruenberg, Jr. (September 25, 1943 – February 14, 2016) was an American politician, a Democratic member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 14th District since 2003. He previously served from 1985 through 1993. On October 13, 2009, he became the senior member of the House following the death of Richard Foster of Nome.
Max Gruenberg | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 14th district | |
| In office January 20, 2003 – February 14, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Brian Porter |
| Succeeded by | Ivy Spohnholz |
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 11th-B district | |
| In office 1985 – January 18, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Mae Tischer |
| Succeeded by | District Abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Max Foorman Gruenberg, Jr. September 25, 1943 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 2016 (aged 72) Juneau, Alaska, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kayla Epstein |
| Residence(s) | Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Stanford University, University of California |
| Profession | Attorney |
Gruenberg served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He died on February 14, 2016, at his home in Juneau after spending an evening with his wife and friends. He was 72 years old.[1]
Life and education edit
Max F. Gruenberg Jr. was born in San Francisco, California to Dorothy Lilienthal Gruenberg and Max Gruenberg, Sr. in 1943 as their only son. Growing up, Gruenberg participated in Boy Scouts and achieved Eagle Scout level.[2] He graduated from Acalanes High School, located in Lafayette, California in 1961 and continued onto Stanford University from 1961-1965, where he earned his B.A. in Political Science. After Gruenberg graduated from Stanford University, he spent three more years, from 1967-1970, at UCLA Law School.[3] On June 5, 1994, Gruenberg married his third wife, Kayla Epstein. Gruenberg had two sons named Bruce and Daniel.[4] Outside of politics, Gruenberg participated in and was a member of the Fairview Lions Club from 1978 to 2016, Alaska Common Ground from 2001 to 2016, a board member in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers from 1981 to 2016, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars from 1993 to 2016. He was also a Family Lawyer from 1974 to 2005,[5] participating in court cases such as Flores v. Flores in 1979[6] and Hilliker v. Hilliker in 1988, appearing before the Supreme Court of Alaska.[7]
Military career edit
Both Gruenberg and his father served in different branches within the United States military. While Gruenberg served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, his father served in the Army during World War II. Gruenberg's mother got remarried to Jacques Schnier, an artist who also served in World War II. After graduating from Stanford University, Gruenberg joined the Navy from 1966-1967 as a lieutenant[8] on a transport ship called the U.S.S. Whitfield, where he was awarded a 3 battle stars Vietnam Service Medal.[9]
Political career edit
In 1970, Gruenberg moved to Alaska and began his political life as an Alaskan politician. In 1985, Gruenberg served in the House of Representative, representing East Anchorage House District 16. He remained in office until 1993, when he took a 10 year break from politics. He returned to politics in 2002 and in 2003, where he served as House of Representative until his death in 2016.[10] During Gruenberg's early years in politics, he helped create the Alaska Law Review and worked alongside Republican Senator Ted Stevens as Steven's top legislative aide in Washington D.C.[11] In 1970-1971, Gruenberg was also a Law Clerk for Justice Roger Connor in the Alaska Supreme Court.[12]
Elections for Alaska House of Representatives edit
| Party | Candidate | Vote Count |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. | 3,253 |
| Republican | Don Hadley | 2,745 |
| Party | Candidate | Vote Count |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. | 3,391 |
| Republican | Don Hadley | 2,883 |
| Party | Candidate | Vote Count |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. | 2,065 |
| Liberal | Scott A. Kohlhaas | 918 |
| Party | Candidate | Vote Count |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. | 3,361 |
| Liberal | Scott Kohlhaus | 812 |
Alaska committees edit
| 2015 | 2013-2014 | 2011-2012 | 2009-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judiciary | Judiciary | Judiciary | Judiciary |
| State Affairs | Legislative Council | State Affairs | State Affairs |
| Military & Veterans' Affairs | Military & Veterans' Affairs | Transportation | Transportation |
| Rules | Rules |
Legislative bills edit
| Bill Number | Name of Bill |
|---|---|
| AK HB6 | Priv Employer Voluntary Vet Preference |
| AK HB8 | Powers of Attorney |
| AK HB18 | Expand Medicaid Coverage |
| AK SB23 | Opioid Old Drugs: Dispensing; Immunity |
| AK HB27 | Dhss Duties; cina; Foster Care; Adoption |
| AK HB35 | March 27: Great Alaska Earthquake Day |
| AK HB44 | Sex Abuse/ assault/ dating Viol Prev. Progs |
| AK HB60 | Military: Sexual Assault |
| AK HB61 | Military Meritorious Award License Plates |
| AK HB117 | Sexual Assault Examination Kits |
| AK HB 130 | Naming State Library & Museum |
| AK HB142 | Establish Elders' Day |
| AK HB147 | Animals: Protection/release/custody |
| AK HB154 | Civil Legal Services Fun |
| AK HB175 | Establish Military Family Day |
| AK HB207 | Antitrust Actions & Penalties |
| AK HB215 | New Drugs For The Terminally Ill |
| AK HB223 | Session Limit |
| AK HB226 | Extended Alaska Commission on Aging |
| AK HB 255 | Reading or Typing Messages While Driving[19] |
| Ak HCR16 | Ways And Means: Uniform Rules |
| AK HJR6 | Federal Contamination of Ancsa Lands |
| AK HJR22 | Stewart-hyder Border Hours |
References edit
- ^ Herz, Nathaniel. "Longtime Alaska lawmaker Max Gruenberg passes away". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ "Max Foorman Gruenberg Jr., Esq., Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who". 24-7 Press Release Newswire. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ "Alaska State Legislature". www.akleg.gov. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "Max Gruenberg Obituary (1943 - 2016) - Juneau, AK - Juneau Empire". www.legacy.com. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Flores v. Flores". Justia Law. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
- ^ "Hilliker v. Hilliker". Justia Law. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
- ^ "Max Foorman Gruenberg Jr., Esq., Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who". 24-7 Press Release Newswire. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ "Max Gruenberg: Longtime Jewish Lawmaker of Alaska – JMAW – Jewish Museum of the American West". www.jmaw.org. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ "Max Gruenberg papers". Archives and Special Collections. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- ^ "Max Foorman Gruenberg Jr., Esq., Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who". 24-7 Press Release Newswire. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Max Gruenberg". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Max Gruenberg". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Alaska State Legislature". www.akleg.gov. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
External links edit
- Alaska State Legislature – Representative Max Gruenberg official government website
- Project Vote Smart – Representative Max F. Gruenberg Jr. (AK) profile
- Follow the Money – Max F Gruenberg Jr
- Alaska's Democratic Caucus – Max Gruenberg profile
- Max Gruenberg at 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature