| Bette Cato | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 6th district (5th district 1981–1983) | |
| In office January 12, 1981 – December 31, 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Margaret Branson |
| Succeeded by | Eugene G. Kubina |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1924-05-09)May 9, 1924 Irby, Washington |
| Died | January 18, 1996(1996-01-18) (aged 71) Phoenix, Arizona |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jack Cato |
| Alma mater | Eastern Washington College |
| Occupation | Schoolteacher |
Bette M. Cato (May 9, 1924 – January 18, 1996) was an American politician who served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1981 to 1989. She was a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life and career
Cato was born in Irby, Washington, in 1924. She attended Eastern Washington College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in education. She settled in Alaska in 1957, working as a teacher in Kenai.
After moving to Valdez she became the president of the Valdez American Federation of Teachers and later served as the Vice President of AFT Alaska.
Political career
Cato was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 1980. In June 1981, Cato helped elevate Republican legislator Joe L. Hayes to the House speakership.
By 1985, Cato was the House Transportation Committee chair.
Following a diagnosis of diverticulitis in 1989, Cato declared her intention to resign in October of that year. Her resignation took effect on December 31, 1989, and governor Steve Cowper appointed Eugene G. Kubina to Cato's seat.
Personal life
Cato's husband Jack predeceased her. The couple had one son. Bette Cato died in on January 18, 1996, of cancer complications, at Phoenix Memorial Hospital.
References
- ^ "100 Years of Alaska's Legislature "From Territorial Days to Today": Bette Cato". Alaska Legislature. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ "Former state legislator Bette Cato has died..." Daily Sitka Sentinel. Associated Press. January 22, 1996. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
- "Latest Figures Listed For Alaska's Election". Daily Sitka Sentinel. November 10, 1980. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
- Jean Krier (June 15, 1981). "Hayes Speaker in new House plan". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
- "National Lovv-Level Radioactive Waste Management Program" (PDF). December 1985.
- "Rep. Cato, D-Valdez, Hands in Resignation". Daily Sitka Sentinel. Associated Press. October 17, 1989. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
- "Senate Journal". Alaska Senate. January 19, 1996.
External links
- Bette Cato at 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature
- 1924 births
- Democratic Party members of the Alaska House of Representatives
- Women state legislators in Alaska
- 20th-century American women politicians
- People from Lincoln County, Washington
- Schoolteachers from Alaska
- 20th-century American women educators
- 20th-century American educators
- Eastern Washington University alumni
- People from Valdez, Alaska
- Deaths from cancer in Arizona
- 1996 deaths
- 20th-century members of the Alaska Legislature