02/24/2000 04:40 PM House MLV

HB 330 - POW/MIA DAY & WOMEN VETERANS DAY                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN MURKOWSKI announced the first order of business as HB 330,                                                             
"An Act establishing Prisoners of War and Missing in Action                                                                     
Recognition Days and Women Veterans Day; and providing for an                                                                   
effective date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Number 0105                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
LADDIE SHAW, State Veteran Affairs Coordinator, Department of                                                                   
Military & Veterans Affairs, testified via teleconference from                                                                  
Anchorage.  The department fully supports the bill.  Having spent                                                               
quality time with a number of prisoners of war from World War II                                                                
and Korea, he said, they put a tremendous value on this type of                                                                 
recognition.  He also noted that there was standing room only last                                                              
November [1999] for the first acknowledged day for women veterans.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Number 0221                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN MURKOWSKI asked Mr. Shaw whether the dates reflected in                                                                
the bill are in conjunction with nationally recognized dates.  In                                                               
other words:  How have these dates been arrived at?                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR. SHAW replied there are two dates for prisoner of war/missing in                                                             
action recognition.  One is a recognition and one is a noted                                                                    
federal day of recognition.  The date in September is a nationally                                                              
recognized holiday.  The date in April is for the Fall of Batan.                                                                
The individuals who have presented the April date are from the                                                                  
World War II Era.  The individuals who have presented the September                                                             
date are from the Vietnam Era.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN MURKOWSKI asked Mr. Shaw, What about the Women Veterans                                                                
Day of November 9?                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR. SHAW replied that date has been acknowledged as a day of                                                                    
recognition.  He's not sure, however, whether or not it's a                                                                     
nationally observed day.  He is only aware of the observance held                                                               
in Anchorage.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Number 0400                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN MURKOWSKI pointed out that November 9 is only two days                                                                 
before the nationally recognized Veterans Day of November 11.  She                                                              
wondered whether there would be any overshadowing.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR. SHAW replied he can't say for sure why November 9 was chosen,                                                               
but he has attended both events, and they were both well-attended                                                               
by each group.  There wasn't a lack of recognition for either day.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Number 0556                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
ED KNOEBEL testified via teleconference from Glennallen as a                                                                    
retired veteran of World War II.  He's all for the bill.  It's                                                                  
about time the women are recognized.  He said, "They helped take                                                                
part just as much as some of the men did."                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Number 0618                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER made a motion to move HB 330 out of                                                                 
committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal                                                              
note.  There being no objection, HB 330 so moved from the House                                                                 
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.