03/16/1993 05:00 PM House TRA

  TAPE 93-10, SIDE A                                                           
  Number 001                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIR FOSTER brought the meeting to order at 5:23 p.m.  He                   
  started the meeting by noting the presence of REPRESENTATIVE                 
  BETTYE DAVIS, PRIME SPONSOR of HB 98.                                        
                                                                               
  HB 98:  BLACK VETS' RECOGNITION BRIDGE,ALASKA HWY                            
                                                                               
  Number 010                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS asked the committee for their support                   
  in naming the Black Veterans' Recognition Bridge and then                    
  referred to her assistant, ELIZABETH ROBERTS, to present the                 
  testimony on HB 98.                                                          
                                                                               
  Number 015                                                                   
                                                                               
  MS. ROBERTS began her testimony by noting that 1992 marked                   
  the 50th anniversary of the construction of the Great Alaska                 
  Highway, a 1,522 mile-long road from Dawson Creek, British                   
  Columbia to Fairbanks, Alaska.  Heralded as a near                           
  impossible feat, the construction was completed in record                    
  time of eight months and twelve days.  Of the 10,607                         
  soldiers who worked on the road, 3,695 were members of the                   
  Black Corps of Engineers.  These men, mostly from the South,                 
  toiled under great duress, ill housing, sub-zero                             
  temperatures, insufficient clothing, monotonous food and 20                  
  hour days.  Last year, their contributions received state                    
  and national recognition.  In January, 13 veterans were                      
  reunited in a fun-filled event in Tallahassee, Florida,                      
  sponsored by the University of Alaska and Florida A&M                        
  University.  In July, Alaska hosted eight of the men during                  
  "Alaska Highway Rendezvous 92".  The Alaska Highway, being                   
  rich in historic sites, is enjoyed by thousands every year.                  
                                                                               
  Number 050                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE MACKIE requested he be shown as a co-sponsor                  
  on HB 98 and moved for passage of the bill from committee                    
  with individual recommendations.  There were no objections,                  
  the bill was so ordered.