# Max Gruenberg

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.

## 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. 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. On June 5, 1994, Gruenberg married his third wife, Kayla Epstein. Gruenberg had two sons named Bruce and Daniel. 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 participating in court cases including Flores v. Flores in 1979 and Hilliker v. Hilliker in 1988, appearing before the Alaska Supreme Court.

## 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 on a transport ship called the U.S.S. Whitfield, where he was awarded a 3 battle stars Vietnam Service Medal.

## 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. 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. In 1970-1971, Gruenberg was also a law clerk for Justice Roger Connor in the Alaska Supreme Court.

### Elections for Alaska House of Representatives

District 16 election in 2014 :
| Party | Candidate | Vote Count |
| Democratic | Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. | 3,253 |
| Republican | Don Hadley | 2,745 |
District 14 election in 2012 :
| Party | Candidate | Vote Count |
| Democratic | Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. | 3,391 |
| Republican | Don Hadley | 2,883 |
District 20 election in 2010 :
| Party | Candidate | Vote Count |
| Democratic | Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. | 2,065 |
| Liberal | Scott A. Kohlhaas | 918 |
District 20 election in 2008 :
| Party | Candidate | Vote Count |
| Democratic | Max F. Gruenberg, Jr. | 3,361 |
| Liberal | Scott Kohlhaus | 812 |

### Alaska committees

Alaska Committees Assignment Rep. Gruenberg Jr. Held :
| 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

Bills Sponsored by Rep. Gruenberg Jr. :
| 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 |
| Ak HCR16 | Ways And Means: Uniform Rules |
| AK HJR6 | Federal Contamination of Ancsa Lands |
| AK HJR22 | Stewart-hyder Border Hours |