House Bush Caucus Statement on Rep. Foster Passing

(Anchorage) - Representative Reggie Joule, D-Kotzebue, and fellow members of the Alaska Legislature's House Bush Caucus, released the following statements today regarding the death yesterday of Rep. Richard Foster, D-Nome:

"Richard Foster was the most senior member of the House of Representatives, who, since being elected in 1988, served with every majority caucus and worked hard using that position to build bridges of understanding on issues of importance to his district and all of rural Alaska.

"Richard was a public servant in many, many senses of the word. And that's how he treated his district. Richard was a statesman. You can't underestimate his contributions to the quality of life in Bush Alaska, from watching the budget to making sure his office was always available for the caucus.

"He was vocal about the issues that affected Bush Alaska, including suicide prevention, making sure we take care of our veterans, as well as matters before the finance committee.

"He was a very gracious man, who always made sure we gave proper thanks to those who helped us gain passage of spending items or legislation.

"His passing leaves a hole not only in our caucus, but also in the state.

"On behalf of the caucus and me, our thoughts and our prayers are with the family going forward."

Fellow caucus members Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, and Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, stated the following:

"This loss of a fellow Vietnam veteran is hard to stomach," Thomas said. "Not only to this caucus but the Veteran's Caucus as well. He was a tireless advocate for our causes and I'll miss him; All of Bush Alaska will miss him."

"We played music in Richard's office every Friday night, which was a really unique experience," Edgmon said. "Fridays at Foster's was just a way to get people together and put politics aside – to really get a sense of enjoyment and togetherness outside of legislative duties and just connect in that way. Richard was the real spirit and enabler of that group, so I don't know what it'll be like there on Friday nights during the legislative session without him. Amongst all the humor and the jokes and the temperament that disarmed people, what I'll really take away from my time around Richard above all was that he could read people better than anyone I have ever met. When you think about Richard you think about people and all the better qualities in life, and I think Richard had that figured out better than anyone."

Foster was the most senior member of the House Bush Caucus, whose composition is made up of the following rural legislators: House Majority Leader Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan, Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, House Minority Leader Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, Bill Thomas, R-Haines, John Harris, R-Valdez, Woody Salmon, D-Chalkyitsik, Alan Austerman, R-Kodiak, Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, Bob Herron, D-Bethel, and Reggie Joule, D-Kotzebue.