Legislature(2001 - 2002)
01/29/2002 03:08 PM House MLV
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HCR 20 - SEPT 11 DAY OF REMEMBRANCE Number 0099 CHAIR CHENAULT announced the first order of business, HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 20, Relating to declaring September 11, 2002, as Emergency Service Providers and Armed Forces Appreciation Day. Number 0168 REPRESENTATIVE GARY STEVENS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HCR 20, explained that September 11, 2001, will go down as an important moment in United States history. The cataclysmic events brought out both the worst in people - from the terrorists who caused so many deaths - and the best - from the emergency service personnel who showed tremendous courage, dedication, and sacrifice. Representative Stevens emphasized the importance of honoring those heroes and not forgetting them. He indicated that many Alaskans have been among those involved since the initial terrorist attacks. REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS explained that HCR 20 asks the governor to declare September 11, 2002, as Emergency Service Providers and Armed Forces Appreciation Day in Alaska; the purpose is for Alaskans to honor and pay respect to the firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and members of the military who responded to the World Trade Center tragedy and who continue to stand by, ready to serve, every day. Number 0324 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN noted that many volunteers not associated with either of these groups have pitched in as well. He asked whether there was a reason they weren't included. REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS said no; it is a good point. He offered to add volunteers, if desired. Number 0369 REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI asked whether an armed forces recognition day already on the books recognizes the contribution from the military. REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS answered that he believes so. He said it was a question he'd discussed with the chairman. He noted that military personnel are honored on another day. CHAIR CHENAULT mentioned Veterans' Day. He said he wasn't having a problem with [including in the resolution] the armed forces because they provided what was requested of them on that day and other days. He questioned whether the armed forces should be included in the title, however. Number 0470 CHAIR CHENAULT informed members that he'd come up with a proposed committee substitute (CS). [Prepared by the committee aide, the proposed CS bore the following title: "Relating to declaring September 11, 2002, as Emergency Service Providers and Armed Forces Appreciation Day and a Day of Commemoration of all Americans."] CHAIR CHENAULT said his "sticking point" as far as the resolution is this: on September 11, 2001, emergency service providers responded not only at the World Trade Center but also at the Pentagon. In addition, he said, the people aboard Flight 93 [which crashed in Pennsylvania after being hijacked] should be recognized; their heroism averted further tragedy and loss of Americans' lives. He proposed that the day of recognition perhaps should be called Heroes Day. For example, there were heroes of all kinds, whether in public service or in the military. CHAIR CHENAULT noted that the proposed CS adds a day of commemoration of all Americans. He said, however, that he'd be open to looking at options to make it a better resolution. Number 0626 REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI, noting that the proposed CS mentions firefighters [at the World Trade Center], asked about police who went in the buildings. She said she was fearful that in trying to be too specific, the [resolution] may forget [others] who truly were the heroes - whether volunteers or janitors on duty who brought people to safety. She agreed with Chair Chenault that perhaps it should be more generic in terms of who is being recognized for their contributions and sacrifices. Number 0711 REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS offered to make "most of those changes." He pointed out, however, that the first "Whereas" clause speaks of the 343 New York City firefighters lost in the attack. He suggested that although everyone who participated should be recognized and appreciated, there also is a need to realize that 343 firemen lost their lives in this attack. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN pointed out that there were many policemen too. REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS offered to make any of the suggested changes. CHAIR CHENAULT said he didn't know the numbers, but mentioned policemen or other emergency service providers who lost their lives during any of the attacks or rescue attempts. Number 0798 REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI requested confirmation that this would not cost money to the state nor be a state holiday, but would urge the recognition and honoring of those who either lost their lives or participated. REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS agreed that there would be no cost and that it wouldn't be a holiday. He specified that it is just for one day - September 11, 2002 - to show appreciation for the sacrifices made. Number 0887 CHAIR CHENAULT asked whether anyone else wished to testify; there was no response. REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS noted that the proposed CS adds wording about Flight 93, which he said is appropriate. CHAIR CHENAULT explained that it adds the people on Flight 93 for their courage and willingness to sacrifice their own lives to save others. In addition, it adds "a Day of Commemoration of all Americans" in the title and in the first "Further Resolved" section. Number 0973 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT asked what the intent is regarding the title [of the proposed CS], which seems extremely broad and commemorates every person in America. CHAIR CHENAULT indicated "heroes" is the concept he is looking for, although appreciation regarding the emergency service providers and the armed forces is part of it. He explained, "If we are going to do a resolution, and it is to the providers that provided the rescue efforts in these three areas, ... we are looking at heroes." He acknowledged that the title of the proposed CS may need some work. Number 1103 REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI suggested it may be more appropriate in the title to say something like "Declaring September 11, 2002, as a ... day of recognition for those involved in heroics." She emphasized tying it to September 11, 2001. She said it sounds as if everyone agrees whom to recognize: not just the emergency providers or the National Guard, but the people on the aircraft and the volunteers. She suggested committee staff could perhaps work with Representative Stevens to fine-tune that language. Number 1179 REPRESENTATIVE HAYES proposed saying, "Relating to declaring September 11, 2002, as First Respondents Appreciation Day [and so forth]"; he suggested it would address all emergency service people and may encompass the military. As for the broader sense of people, however, Representative Hayes said he didn't know. Number 1231 REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA posed the following idea for the title: "Relating to declaring September 11, 2002, as a day in commemoration of ... thousands of acts of individual heroism." The "Whereas" clauses then would bring "everybody" in. Number 1293 REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI indicated perhaps the primary purpose of the sponsor's resolution was to recognize emergency providers. REPRESENTATIVE KOTT suggested the title was getting too wordy. REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA offered to withdraw her suggestion. Number 1305 REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS responded that it was a good point, however. Many people who weren't emergency service personnel did some very heroic things. Number 1323 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT suggested that it be thought out more thoroughly. He proposed having the title be something along the lines of "An Act declaring September 11, 2002, as Hero Appreciation Day." In the "Whereas" clauses, then, it could go into the details, specifying the 343 New York City firefighters and other groups, along with what they did. The title should be fairly simple and shouldn't get into too many details, he added. Number 1388 REPRESENTATIVE HAYES said while he agreed with Representative Kott, it seems the resolution would lose its focus, which began with the emergency service providers. Number 1417 REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI indicated the resolution could declare September 11 [2002] as First Responders and Other Heroes Day, for example. She agreed there should be some recognition of the emergency service providers, but added, "Perhaps I'm inferring too much from the sponsor." Number 1450 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN offered another suggestion: "Relating to declaring [September 11, 2002] as Twin Towers Heroes Day." CHAIR CHENAULT said it would be site-specific, however, and may require separate [resolutions] for the Pentagon and Flight 93. Number 1480 CHAIR CHENAULT announced that if it met the sponsor's approval, his staff and Representative Stevens' staff would work to come up with a title that the committee could support. REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS concurred. [HCR 20 was held over.]
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