Max Gruenberg
{{Short description|American politician (1943–2016)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Max Gruenberg
| image =
| state_house = Alaska
| state = Alaska
| district = 14th
| term_start = January 20, 2003
| term_end = February 14, 2016
| preceded = Brian Porter
| succeeded = Ivy Spohnholz
| state_house2 = Alaska
| district2 = 11th-B
| term_start2 = 1985
| term_end2 = January 18, 1993
| alongside2 =
Dave Donley (1986–1990)
Roger Jenkins (1984–1986)
| predecessor2 = Mae Tischer
| successor2 = District Abolished
| party = Democratic
| birth_name = Max Foorman Gruenberg, Jr.
| birth_date = {{birth date|1943|9|25}}
| birth_place = San Francisco, California, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2016|2|14|1943|9|25}}
| death_place = Juneau, Alaska, U.S.
| alma_mater = Stanford University, University of California
| profession = Attorney
| spouse = Kayla Epstein
| residence = Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
}}
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 after the death of Richard Foster of Nome.
Gruenberg served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He died at home on February 14, 2016 in Juneau after an evening with his friends and wife at their residence. He had previously had heart attacks. He was 72 years old.{{cite web|url=http://www.adn.com/article/20160214/alaska-rep-max-gruenberg-long-time-house-member-has-died|title=Longtime Alaska lawmaker Max Gruenberg passes away|last=Herz|first=Nathaniel|accessdate=February 14, 2016|work=Alaska Dispatch News}}
Life and education
Max F. Gruenberg Jr. was born in San Francisco to Dorothy Lilienthal Gruenberg and Max Gruenberg, Sr. in 1943 as their only son. Growing up, Gruenberg participated in Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout.{{Cite web|title=Max Foorman Gruenberg Jr., Esq., Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who|url=https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/460872/max-foorman-gruenberg-jr-esq-presented-with-the-albert-nelson-marquis-lifetime-achievement-award-by-marquis-whos-who|access-date=2021-03-07|website=24-7 Press Release Newswire|language=en}} He graduated from Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California northeast of Oakland in 1961 and went to Stanford University from 1961-1965, where he earned his B.A. in political science.
After Gruenberg graduated from Stanford University he attended UCLA School of Law from 1967 to 1970.{{Cite web|title=Alaska State Legislature|url=http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Member/Detail/26?code=GRU#tab7_1|access-date=2021-04-09|website=www.akleg.gov}} On June 5, 1994, Gruenberg married his third wife, Kayla Epstein. Gruenberg had two sons named Bruce and Daniel.{{Cite web|title=Max Gruenberg Obituary (1943 - 2016) - Juneau, AK - Juneau Empire|url=https://www.legacy.com/amp/obituaries/juneauempire/177767642|access-date=2021-04-09|website=www.legacy.com|language=en}} 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 in the Veterans of Foreign Wars from 1993 to 2016. He was a family lawyer from 1974 to 2005{{Cite web|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|url=http://votesmart.org/|access-date=2021-04-13|website=Vote Smart}} participating in court cases including Flores v. Flores in 1979{{Cite web|title=Flores v. Flores|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/alaska/supreme-court/1979/3832-1.html|access-date=2021-04-16|website=Justia Law|language=en}} and Hilliker v. Hilliker in 1988, appearing before the Alaska Supreme Court.{{Cite web|title=Hilliker v. Hilliker|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/alaska/supreme-court/1988/s-1505-3.html|access-date=2021-04-16|website=Justia Law|language=en}}
Military career
Max Gruenberg and his father served in different branches within the United States military. Max served in the Navy during the Vietnam War; his father was in the U.S. Army during World War II. Max's mother later married Jacques Schnier, an artist who also served in World War II. After graduating from Stanford University, Max Gruenberg joined the Navy from 1966-1967 as a lieutenant{{Cite web|title=Max Foorman Gruenberg Jr., Esq., Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who|url=https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/460872/max-foorman-gruenberg-jr-esq-presented-with-the-albert-nelson-marquis-lifetime-achievement-award-by-marquis-whos-who|access-date=2021-03-07|website=24-7 Press Release Newswire|language=en}} on a transport ship called the U.S.S. Whitfield, where he was awarded a 3 battle stars Vietnam Service Medal.{{Cite web|title=Max Gruenberg: Longtime Jewish Lawmaker of Alaska – JMAW – Jewish Museum of the American West|url=http://www.jmaw.org/gruenberg-alaska-jewish/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=www.jmaw.org}}
Political career
In 1970, Max Gruenberg moved to Alaska and began his political life as an Alaskan politician. In 1985, he 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.{{Cite web|title=Max Gruenberg papers|url=https://archives.consortiumlibrary.org/collections/specialcollections/hmc-1270/|access-date=2021-04-05|website=Archives and Special Collections|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Max Foorman Gruenberg Jr., Esq., Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who's Who|url=https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/460872/max-foorman-gruenberg-jr-esq-presented-with-the-albert-nelson-marquis-lifetime-achievement-award-by-marquis-whos-who|access-date=2021-04-05|website=24-7 Press Release Newswire|language=en}} In 1970-1971, Gruenberg was also a law clerk for Justice Roger Connor in the Alaska Supreme Court.{{Cite web|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|url=http://votesmart.org/|access-date=2021-04-13|website=Vote Smart}}
= Elections for Alaska House of Representatives =
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+District 16 election in 2014{{Cite web|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|url=http://votesmart.org/|access-date=2021-04-13|website=Vote Smart}} !Party !Candidate !Vote Count |
| Democratic
|Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. |3,253 |
| Republican
|Don Hadley |2,745 |
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+District 14 election in 2012{{Cite web|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|url=http://votesmart.org/|access-date=2021-04-13|website=Vote Smart}} !Party !Candidate !Vote Count |
| Democratic
|Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. |3,391 |
| Republican
|Don Hadley |2,883 |
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+District 20 election in 2010{{Cite web|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|url=http://votesmart.org/|access-date=2021-04-13|website=Vote Smart}} !Party !Candidate !Vote Count |
| Democratic
|Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. |2,065 |
| Liberal
|Scott A. Kohlhaas |918 |
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+District 20 election in 2008{{Cite web|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|url=http://votesmart.org/|access-date=2021-04-13|website=Vote Smart}} !Party !Candidate !Vote Count |
| Democratic
|Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. |3,361 |
| Liberal
|Scott Kohlhaus |812 |
= Alaska committees =
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+Alaska Committees Assignment Rep. Gruenberg Jr. Held{{Cite web|title=Max Gruenberg|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Max_Gruenberg|access-date=2021-04-13|website=Ballotpedia|language=en}} !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 =
| class="wikitable"
|+Bills Sponsored by Rep. Gruenberg Jr.{{Cite web|title=Max Gruenberg|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Max_Gruenberg|access-date=2021-04-13|website=Ballotpedia|language=en}} !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{{Cite web|title=Alaska State Legislature|url=http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/27?Root=HB%20255|access-date=2021-04-16|website=www.akleg.gov}} |
| Ak HCR16
|Ways And Means: Uniform Rules |
| AK HJR6
|Federal Contamination of Ancsa Lands |
| AK HJR22
|Stewart-hyder Border Hours |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070808053342/http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/house/gru.php Alaska State Legislature – Representative Max Gruenberg] official government website
- [http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=27346 Project Vote Smart – Representative Max F. Gruenberg Jr. (AK)] profile
- Follow the Money – Max F Gruenberg Jr
- [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=80059 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=74382 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=13895 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=20332 1994] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=20143 1992] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=19960 1990] campaign contributions
- [http://www.akdemocrats.org/index.php?con_id=6 Alaska's Democratic Caucus – Max Gruenberg] profile
- [http://100years.akleg.gov/bio.php?id=724 Max Gruenberg] at 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature
{{S-start}}
{{S-hon}}
{{Succession box
| before=Richard Foster
| title=Senior member of the Alaska House of Representatives
| years=2009–2016
| after=Mike Chenault
}}
{{S-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gruenberg, Max}}
Category:21st-century members of the Alaska Legislature
Category:Jewish state legislators in Alaska
Category:Democratic Party members of the Alaska House of Representatives
Category:Politicians from Anchorage, Alaska
Category:Politicians from San Francisco
Category:Stanford University alumni
Category:UCLA School of Law alumni
Category:United States Navy sailors
Category:Lawyers from Anchorage, Alaska
Category:20th-century American lawyers