00CS FOR HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9(RES) am                                                                      
01 Relating to Take a Young Person Hunting Week.                                                                           
02 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                              
03  WHEREAS Alaska's abundance and variety of natural resources are unmatched in the                                     
04 United States; and                                                                                                      
05  WHEREAS many of our young people today lack the opportunity to go hunting; and                                       
06  WHEREAS the age of the average hunter continues to rise, and we are experiencing                                     
07 poor recruitment of young people into our hunting community; and                                                        
08  WHEREAS many of our young people lack an understanding of the importance of                                          
09 hunting in wildlife conservation; and                                                                                   
10  WHEREAS we have an obligation to teach our young people about our hunting                                            
11 heritage; and                                                                                                           
12  WHEREAS many of our young people are receiving very negative messages about                                          
13 the perceived evils of hunting and the dangers of using weapons; and                                                    
14  WHEREAS our young people need to be taught about gun safety, hunting skills, and                                     

01 hunting ethics; and                                                                                                     
02  WHEREAS our young people need to have opportunities to hunt under the guidance                                       
03 and supervision of an experienced adult; and                                                                            
04  WHEREAS experienced hunters need the opportunity to pass along revered traditions                                    
05 and respect for the resources to future generations;                                                                    
06  BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the                                           
07 Governor to proclaim the second week of September as Take a Young Person Hunting Week;                                  
08 and be it                                                                                                               
09  FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges schools, community                                          
10 groups, and other public and private agencies and individuals to encourage the observation of                           
11 Take a Young Person Hunting Week with appropriate activities that ensure the continuation                               
12 of hunting.                                                                                                             
13  COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to Laura Jane Wineinger, Alaska Field                                        
14 Representative, National Rifle Association; Tom Elias, Regional Vice President, Safari Club                             
15 International; and Rod Arno, President, Alaska Outdoor Council.