00                   HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 24                                                                   
01 Recognizing, honoring, supporting, and encouraging support for dog mushing and dog                                      
02 mushers in the state.                                                                                                   
03 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
04       WHEREAS dog mushing is the official sport of the state, and both Native and non-                                
05 Native persons participate in the sport; and                                                                            
06       WHEREAS persons who engage in dog mushing help to preserve the culture and                                      
07 tradition of dog mushing, which has been practiced in the state for thousands of years; and                             
08       WHEREAS dog mushing is an important thread in the fabric of life in this state and is                           
09 an important part of the spiritual well-being and cultural identity of the state; and                                   
10       WHEREAS dog mushing is not only a sport but also a way of life, with roots in                                   
11 ancient times when humans first bonded with animals; and                                                                
12       WHEREAS, before mechanized means of transportation arrived in the state, the                                  
13 relationship between humans and animals enabled residents of the state to populate the state                            
14 and to live, hunt, and thrive in the state; and                                                                         
15       WHEREAS organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals want                                  
16 to eliminate the sport of dog mushing and the dog mushing way of life and have asked people                             

01 not to patronize companies that sponsor dog mushing or tours that include dog mushing; and                              
02       WHEREAS dog mushing races attract millions of fans and tourists from around the                                 
03 world and contribute to the economies of the state and communities in the state; and                                    
04       WHEREAS dog mushing contributes to the state's image as the last frontier and                                   
05 provides excitement and purpose locally; and                                                                            
06       WHEREAS dog mushing, whether in races or for recreation, contributes to the pride,                              
07 spirit, physical well-being, and cultural identity of fans and dog mushers alike; and                                   
08       WHEREAS dog mushers who treat their dogs humanely and maintain humane dog                                       
09 kennels need the support of the people of the state so they can preserve the tradition and                              
10 culture of dog mushing for future generations;                                                                          
11       BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature recognizes this state as a "right                              
12 to mush" state and recognizes the practice of dog mushing to be a part of the past, present, and                        
13 future culture of the state; and be it                                                                                  
14       FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature honors the grit and                                          
15 tenacity of dog mushers who brave miles of open wild country in harsh weather conditions;                               
16 and be it                                                                                                               
17       FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature supports dog mushing in                                      
18 the state and encourages the people of the state to support dog mushers so they can preserve                            
19 the tradition and culture of dog mushing for future generations.