Legislature(1999 - 2000)
01/20/2000 03:10 PM House HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HCR 15 - DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH CHAIRMAN DYSON announced the first order of business as House Concurrent Resolution No. 15, Requesting the governor to proclaim March as Developmental Disability Awareness Month. Number 0088 JENNIFER STRICKLAND, Legislative Assistant to Representative Brian Porter, Alaska State Legislature, explained that the resolution before the committee is simple and straightforward. It establishes March as Developmental Disability Awareness Month as described in the sponsor statement included in committee packets. A resolution has been requested instead of a citation in order to promote greater understanding of and bring more recognition to this issue. Number 0147 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN said he had read the letter from David Maltman in which the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education indicates that they would like March 2000 to be designated Developmental Disability Month. However, the first line of HCR 15 doesn't indicate the year. He wondered whether HCR 15 refers to all Marches hereafter or just March 2000. Number 0185 MS. STRICKLAND answered that HCR 15 applied to March of this year. If the request had been for every March hereafter, the request would need to be presented in bill form. Number 0210 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN recommended the year 2000 be added to line 1. MS. STRICKLAND had no objection to that. CHAIRMAN DYSON asked if the committee had any objections and they did not. [This was not a formal motion so HCR 15 was not amended at this point.] Number 0266 CONNIE ANDERSON, Developmental Disabilities Program Administrator, Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Department of Health & Social Services, read the following testimony: The resolution is important because it recognizes nearly 12,000 Alaskans with developmental disabilities and their importance in community life. The Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities welcomes the advocacy that consumers, families, the Key Campaign and the Key Coalition bring to the Developmental Disabilities service arena. The Division also supports the efforts of consumers, families, service provider agencies, and the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education to ensure that more Alaskans with developmental disabilities are able to participate in and contribute to community life. The services and programs funded by the Developmental Disabilities Program in the Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities are an important part of the twin goals of integration and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in one's community. Recognition of March as Developmental Disability Awareness Month will demonstrate the power of community that is exemplified by people with developmental disabilities, their families, friends, and advocates. Number 423 DAVID MALTMAN, Executive Director, Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Health & Social Services, testified via teleconference from Anchorage. He explained that people with developmental disabilities have severe mental or physical disabilities which create limitations for their participation in community activities. The Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education wants to use HCR 15 as an opportunity to join other public awareness events occurring in March to draw attention to not only the needs of people with developmental disabilities but also their capability to participate in the community. Committee support for HCR 15 would go a long way in assisting the Governor's Council to present the best aspects of what people with developmental disabilities and their families have to offer. The Council would appreciate committee support on HCR 15. Number 0497 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked if the month of March is dedicated for any other recognition such as is being requested. If so, he wondered if the committee would be creating a problem by honoring the HCR 15 request. Number 0526 MR. MALTMAN replied he was not aware of any other awareness campaigns scheduled in the month of March for the community of people with disabilities; though there may be other activities scheduled for March which recognize other groups and other purposes. March is a national disability awareness month. Therefore, the Council is trying to make its activities compatible with national activities. The Key Campaign in support of people with disabilities occurs in the first week of March so the Council is trying to be supportive of that, thus maintaining some consistency in approach. Number 0589 ERNEST DUMMANN, Chair, Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Health & Social Services, testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support of the Council and as a parent of a child with a severe and lifelong disability. He said statements have been made in HRC 15 which will definitely bring additional awareness to the public and to the legislature about problems encountered by people with developmental disabilities. There is language that gives recognition to these people, many of whom will be on lifelong support systems, and language that advocates an interest in including people with developmental disabilities in commerce, politics, local culture and education. Mr. Dummann speaks for himself, his son, and for people with developmental disabilities in supporting this resolution. Number 0682 KATHLEEN FITZGERALD, President, Key Coalition, testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support of HCR 15 as a representative of Key Coalition and as a parent of a young lady who experiences multiple disabilities. She explained that Key Coalition sponsors the Key Campaign every year in March. She feels HCR 15 does help support families and individuals with disabilities regarding awareness in daily struggles, and in commitment to being part of schools and communities. Key Coalition takes the opportunity every year to meet with individual legislators to discuss issues relevant to people with disabilities since those people are unable to speak on their own behalf. Many families of persons with disabilities finance their own way to visit legislators, and some spend time all year raising money for that visit. Key Coalition believes that HCR 15 is a fine way to help support persons with disabilities and their families. Number 819 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN made a motion to move HCR 15 from committee with unanimous consent. There being no objection HCR 15 moved from the House Health, Education and Social Services Committee.
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