JUNEAU -- House lawmakers have paid their respects to the late Rep. Carl Gatto, turning his desk on the House floor into a memorial.
On Wednesday, Rep. Bryce Edgmon was joined by local musicians Dave Stancliff and Randy Pasley at the front of the House chambers to play a rendition of Johann Pachelbel's Canon on acoustic guitar, slide guitar and mandolin. The group then led the singing of the hymn Amazing Grace.
Lawmakers lined up and each placed a flower on Gatto's desk.
Gatto died Tuesday from complications to cancer. He was 74.
Gov. Sean Parnell had ordered that state flags be lowered in Gatto's honor Wednesday. Instead of sharing memories Wednesday, the House got to work. Rep. Max Gruenberg on Tuesday said Gatto would have wanted it that way.
By AUSTIN BAIRD
Associated Press