February 5, 2013, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell ordered state flags lowered to half-staff on Thursday, February 7 in honor and memory of former State Representative Martin “Marty” Farrell, who passed away on January 25 in Portland, Oregon. He was 82.

“Representative Farrell was a fair person who will be remembered for his public service, not only as a U.S. Marine during the Korean War, but as a lawmaker during a critically-important era in our state’s history,” Governor Parnell said. “Sandy and I will keep his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.”

Farrell moved to Alaska in 1959 and practiced law in many small communities across the state. He served a term in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1971-72. Farrell was chairman of the House Resources Committee in 1972, when the Legislature took up the first major overhaul of state regulatory and right-of-way laws following the announcement that the Trans Alaska Pipeline System would be built to transport oil from the large North Slope discoveries.

Farrell is survived by family members, including his four children.