Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/23/2010 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB274 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 274 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 259 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 274-ESTABLISHING PURPLE HEART DAY
9:07:59 AM
CHAIR MENARD announced the first order of business to come
before the committee would be HB 274.
REPRESENTATIVE BERTA GARDNER, sponsor of HB 274, said the bill
makes a necessary and important statement by establishing, in
perpetuity, Purple Heart Day to honor those members of the
military service who have been injured or killed in battle.
ELLIE SICA, intern to Representative Gardner, said the Purple
Heart is awarded to any member of the US Armed Forces who has
either been killed or wounded in battle. Approximately 1.7
million service men and women have received the Purple Heart,
including many Alaskans. About 500,000 Purple Heart recipients
are still living. She said that on August 7th, 1782, General
George Washington established the badge of military merit. In
1932, this badge was reestablished as the Purple Heart in honor
of George Washington, his memory and those who have been killed
or wounded in battle.
She said a number of other states recognize August 7th as Purple
Heart Day. HB 274 will demonstrate that Alaska honors its
veterans and Purple Heart recipients.
9:11:12 AM
CHAIR MENARD asked how many other states have established Purple
Heart Day.
MS. SICA replied that Wisconsin annually celebrates August 7th
by displaying the American flag. New Mexico, North Dakota,
Nevada, New York, Arizona and Mississippi all honor it in some
way.
CHAIR MENARD asked if 25 percent of the states currently have
Purple Heart day.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER replied that 25 percent is an over-
estimate but that Alaska can lead the way.
CHAIR MENARD asked if Purple Heart Day has been before the
Legislature previously.
MS. SICA replied that August 7, 2009, was recognized as Purple
Heart Day with a Governor's Proclamation.
SENATOR MEYER asked how many Alaskans qualify for, or have
received, the Purple Heart.
MS. SICA said the number of Purple Heart recipients is not
recorded by state. The approximate number for the nation is
currently 1.7 million but that is changing every day.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER said participation in the Military Order
of the Purple Heart (MOPH) is voluntary. The exact number or
recipients per state is not known because many veterans qualify
but do not join the order.
SENATOR MEYER said he assumes Alaska has numerous Purple Heart
recipients due to the large military presence in Alaska.
9:14:13 AM
CHAIR MENARD recognized Senator Paskvan as joining the meeting.
TIM ARMSTRONG, Chief of Staff, Alaska Military Order of the
Purple Heart (MOPH), spoke in support of HB 274. He said over
500 recipients of the Purple Heart are in Alaska and 270 of
those are members of MOPH. Everyone member of MOPH must show
appropriate documentation. He showed the committee his DD 214
[Defense Department, form 214] which is a one page summary of a
person's military service, including awards and declarations.
9:18:19 AM
MR. ARMSTRONG said the MOPH would love to see Purple Heart Day
established in perpetuity so that people who suffered wounds in
action are recognized appropriately. He noted that the Purple
Heart Highway, between Tok and Fairbanks, is a tremendous
welcome to veterans entering Alaska which has one of the highest
per capita populations of veterans.
RON SIEBELS, Department Commander, Military Order of the Purple
Heart, said since the American Revolution, many Americans have
put on a military uniform to help maintain a free country. He
said the Purple Heart is an award that no one pursues; rather it
happens during tragic moments of man's inability to peacefully
coexist. Wars pass and the combatants slowly fade with history.
From time to time, Americans search for the right words or
actions to say "thanks."
9:22:32 AM
He felt that passage of HB 274 would preserve our elected
officials legislative action to say "thanks" to Alaska's past,
present and future Purple Heart recipients.
9:23:26 AM
CHAIR MENARD closed public testimony.
SENATOR MEYER moved to report HB 274 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, the motion carried.
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