03/26/1996 08:05 AM House STA

 HJR 47 - AK NAT'L GUARD YOUTH CORPS CHALLENGE PROG                          
                                                                               
 The next order of business to come before the House State Affairs             
 Committee was HJR 47.                                                         
                                                                               
 CHAIR JAMES called on Representative Tom Brice, sponsor of HJR 47.            
                                                                               
 Number 2216                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE TOM BRICE explained HJR 47 showed legislative                  
 support for the Alaska National Guard Youth Corps ChalleNGe                   
 Program.  It was funded 100 percent by the federal government and             
 just received a budget cut of $600,000.  The cut would dramatically           
 reduce its ability to continue to help as many youth as it had in             
 the past.  Therefore, HJR 47 asked that Congress continue the                 
 funding.  He explained the ChalleNGe Program was designed for the             
 youth at-risk, the youth that had dropped out of school, and the              
 youth that had been identified as a criminal risk and offered them            
 a 22 month course to allow them to develop or to complete their               
 General Education Degree (GED).  The program gave them a small                
 stipend at the end to be used for furthering their education.  He             
 cited there was about an 85 percent success rate.  In conclusion,             
 he called HJR 47 a timely resolution; it was time to consider the             
 actions in Washington D.C.  Moreover, it was a program that                   
 addressed the problems of juvenile justice in a broad fashion.  He            
 would be happy to answer any questions of the committee members.              
                                                                               
 TAPE 96-41, SIDE A                                                            
 Number 0013                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE OGAN said he was very impressed with the program.              
 He said one of his legislative assistants had a child in the                  
 program which turned his behavior around.  He said this program was           
 a proactive approach rather than a reactive approach.  He announced           
 he would sign on as a cosponsor.                                              
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE BRICE replied, "thank you."                                    
                                                                               
 CHAIR JAMES called on the first witness via teleconference in                 
 Anchorage, Carla Pettigrew.                                                   
                                                                               
 Number 0110                                                                   
                                                                               
 CARLA PETTIGREW explained her son was in the program, Andy Penman.            
 She said Andy used drugs and did not stay in school.  Andy agreed             
 to enter the program.  She was very proud of him today, he was a              
 very successful human being upon leaving the program.  He obtained            
 his GED and his life skills improved tremendously.  He was                    
 currently employed by a hotel in Anchorage.  His self-confidence              
 also increased as a result of the program.  He turned into a leader           
 instead of remaining a follower.  She asserted without the program            
 she strongly believed her son would have been a ward of the state             
 at some point.  She contributed the success of the program to its             
 military structure and its ability to bring out the best of an                
 individual.  She strongly supported HJR 47.                                   
                                                                               
 CHAIR JAMES called on the next witness via teleconference in                  
 Anchorage, Andy Penman.                                                       
                                                                               
 Number 0359                                                                   
                                                                               
 ANDY PENMAN said the Alaska National Guard Youth Corps ChallENge              
 Program had taught him more about life compared to any other place.           
 It also taught him initiative, self-confidence, and respect for               
 others.  The program made him think about a lot of things.  He                
 explained the first stage, hard core, was spent in the woods.  The            
 second stage was in the classroom.  He participated on a drill team           
 that won second place in a competition.  Furthermore, a bond was              
 established with the other classmates that could not be broken by             
 anything.  The awards he won meant a lot to him, but he valued what           
 he learned more.                                                              
                                                                               
 Number 0580                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE PORTER said he was familiar with the program.  It              
 might not be the appropriate approach for everyone, but it was                
 appropriate for many.  It had produced singularly exceptional                 
 results.  He suggested, for inspiration, to see the kids before and           
 after the program.  After the program, the kids were together,                
 inspired and motivated.  The program provided the same results as             
 basic training; the feeling of an accomplishment in the end.                  
                                                                               
 Number 0679                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN explained he had seen the kids before and                
 after the program.  The transformation was incredible.  Some even             
 lost their addictions during the program.                                     
                                                                               
 Number 0748                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE BRICE suggested amending the language on page 1,               
 line 5, to read "nearly 200" based on recent information he just              
 received from his staff.                                                      
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN moved that on page 1, line 5, delete the                 
 language "more than 136" and insert the language "nearly 200."                
 (Amendment 1)  Hearing no objection, it was so moved.                         
                                                                               
 Number 0800                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE ROBINSON moved that CSHJR 47(STA) (9-LS1035/C) be              
 adopted for consideration.  Hearing no objection, it was so                   
 adopted.                                                                      
                                                                               
 Number 0834                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE ROBINSON moved that CSHJR 47(STA) (9-LS1035/C) move            
 from the committee with individual recommendations and attached               
 fiscal notes, as amended.  Hearing no objection, it was so moved              
 from House State Affairs Committee.