Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
04/12/2011 08:30 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB94 | |
| HB170 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 94 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 170 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 94-SECOND VERSE OF ALASKA'S STATE SONG
8:35:47 AM
CHAIR MUNOZ announced that the first order of business would be
SENATE BILL NO. 94, "An Act adding a second verse to the
official Alaska state song."
8:36:04 AM
SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, Alaska State Legislature, speaking as the
sponsor of SB 94, reminded the committee that legislation
proposing adding a second verse to Alaska's state song has been
before the committee in the past. She recalled that such
legislation passed a couple of times in the House, but it didn't
make it through the process last year.
8:37:14 AM
SENATOR ALBERT KOOKESH, Alaska State Legislature, began by
informing the committee that last year when this legislation
went through the process, he purposefully didn't attend any of
the committee meetings in order to avoid the perception that he
was being self-serving. However, that legislation didn't go
anywhere. Therefore, he decided that this year he was going to
attend all committee meetings on this legislation. Senator
Kookesh told the committee that for most of his adult life he
has served and worked in the Alaska Native community, and thus
he considers himself an Alaska Native leader. He related that
he is the co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), an
Alaskan Native and State Senator, and a former Grand President
of the Alaska Native Brotherhood. Senator Kookesh highlighted
that he grew up in the Village of Angoon where he still lives
today. Senator Kookesh then related his disappointment that
prior legislation to add the second verse to the Alaska state
song hasn't been brought to the House or Senate floor for a
vote. In fact, some of the comments last year were of concern,
particularly comments expressing concern that the second verse
of the Alaska state song would lead [Alaska Natives] to
sovereignty in the state. He also recalled comments regarding
the second verse of the Alaska state song providing [Alaska
Natives] the ability to develop leadership in the state. The
only reference to the Alaska Native community was the term
"native lad", which refers to Benny Benson, the Native boy who
designed the flag. He questioned what is wrong with mentioning
that Benny Benson is an Alaska Native. He also questioned why
one wouldn't support the language "there be no bars among our
cultures." With regard to those who charge that the second
verse can't be sung, he disagreed and recalled hearing a
beautiful rendition of it in the Senate's opening ceremony this
year. The second verse won't provide the Alaska Native
community a step up in terms of politics, although it will in
terms of saving face and recognizing the Alaska Native
contribution to the state. This would be in contrast to the
state seal, which has no depiction of the Alaska Native
community. He questioned how unfair not having a depiction of
Alaska Natives on the state seal when, at one point, Alaska
Natives constituted 40 percent of the state's population. In
conclusion, Senator Kookesh emphasized his support for SB 94 and
for this legislation to be before the full House for a vote.
Therefore, he urged the committee to forward SB 94 from
committee and eventually help it get to the House floor for a
vote. Senator Kookesh closed by stressing that he views the
second verse of the state song with pride in terms of
appreciating the contributions from Alaska Natives in the state.
8:42:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA related that her reason for staying in the
state was a total fascination and admiration for the first
Alaskans. The second verse of the Alaska state song seems to
allude to the wisdom and knowledge of Alaska Natives. She then
related her embarrassment that Representative Kookesh had to say
what he said because Alaska Natives need to have more
[recognition] than the second verse of the Alaska state song.
SENATOR KOOKESH noted his appreciation for Representative
Cissna's words. He then highlighted that the Alaska Native
community has worked hard. In fact, the Alaska Native
community, through its corporations, brings $4 billion to the
bottom line of the state. Furthermore, an Alaska Native won the
Iditarod and the Iron Man this year. Moreover, two Alaska
Native girls were paramount in Wasilla winning the Girls 4A
Basketball State Championship. Alaska Natives, he stressed,
make contributions to the state daily and the second verse in
the Alaska state song would be a small recognition. He related
that the Alaska Native community has a saying that when one does
"good" he/she lifts up the face of his/her people.
8:44:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN told the committee that he has the
honor of calling Benny Benson his friend. The reference to him
in the second verse is very appropriate, he opined.
8:45:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER inquired as to AFN's stance on SB 94.
SENATOR KOOKESH relayed that [AFN] believed the legislation
adding the second verse to the Alaska state song was going to
pass last year and the AFN convention was going to be dedicated
to the second verse and recognize Benny Benson and his family.
However, that didn't happen and the theme had to be changed.
The AFN does plan to have a celebration if and win legislation
adding the second verse to the Alaska state song passes.
8:45:49 AM
CHAIR MUNOZ recalled that Carol Beery Davis was her music
teacher and that she discussed how important it was to recognize
the [Alaska] Native culture in song as well as other ways. Much
later, at age 95, she wrote the second verse.
8:46:52 AM
SENATOR KOOKESH remarked that people come to Alaska to see the
Alaska Native culture and their art, not cement, and the state's
diversity. Actions by the legislature should celebrate that
diversity, which this legislation achieves.
8:47:57 AM
PAMELA MARSH, Staff, Senator Bettye Davis, Alaska State
Legislature, paraphrased from the following sponsor statement:
Senate Bill 94 would add a second verse to The
Alaska's Flag Song. The late Carol Beery Davis wrote
a beautiful second verse, which gives recognition to
Alaska Natives and to Benny Benson, who designed the
Alaskan flag.
Similar bills have been introduced in the past. Last
year The Alaska's Flag Song was performed with both
verses as the Senate gaveled in on the first day of
session. Also last year, the Senator from District G
introduced Senate Bill 43. It passed the Senate, but
stalled in the House.
This year is the year to join me in supporting a long
overdue addition of the second verse to the Alaska
Flag Song. By passing this bill you will be
recognizing history, our progress as a state and our
first people.
8:49:03 AM
SELINA EVERSON, Elder, Alaska Native Sisterhood, Camp 70, began
by relating her support for the idea of adding a second verse to
Alaska's state song. She opined that it would be an honor to
honor and recognize Alaska's Native people for what they have
contributed to the state rather than feel like second citizens.
Alaska Native school children would be so proud to know the
second verse was added. Ms. Everson expressed hope that she
will be able to announce that the second verse legislation is
moving through the Alaska House of Representatives. Upon
request of Chair Munoz, Ms. Everson spoke in Tlingit to the
committee, saying: "Thank you for listening to me and for
having the opportunity to come before you in support of this
song."
8:52:46 AM
CONNIE DAVIS, speaking as one of the daughters of Carol Beery
Davis, highlighted that 1927 was an exciting and historic year
for the Territory of Alaska. In March, the design for the flag
was selected. She noted that her father was a member of the
final awards committee. Her father related to her mother that
they chose a design representing all of Alaska. In May, the
flag was made official by the legislature and the first verse of
Alaska's state song was written by her mother's good friend,
Marie Drake. During those eventful months, Carol Beery Davis
interviewed Alaskans involved in making it all happen, which
ultimately became a booklet called, "Alaska's Flag". Among
those interviewed was young Benny Benson, creator of the flag
design. She recalled that her mother never forgot Mr. Benson's
depth of thought and feeling for his years. She opined that
those thoughts inspired Marie Drake in the first verse and is
continued in the second, adding recognition of the designer and
hope for his future state. The verses complement each other.
Although some are concerned that this is a change, the second
verse is merely an addition and complements the first verse. In
conclusion, Ms. Davis said she would appreciate the committee's
full consideration of SB 94.
8:55:52 AM
CHAIR MUNOZ, upon determining no one else wished to testify,
closed public testimony.
8:56:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER moved to report SB 94 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal
note. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
8:57:07 AM
MS. DAVIS interjected that there were verses with mistakes on
the Internet that have been corrected.
8:58:24 AM
The committee sang the proposed second verse to Alaska's state
song.
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