Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
02/25/2020 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
SJR14 | |
HB56 | |
SB101 | |
HB109 | |
SB169 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ | SJR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
*+ | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
*+ | SB 101 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 109 | TELECONFERENCED | |
*+ | SJR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+= | SB 169 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 101-MARCH 12: ASHLEY JOHNSON-BARR DAY 3:56:41 PM CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 101, "An Act establishing March 12 of each year as Ashley Johnson-Barr Day." 3:57:17 PM SENATOR DONNY OLSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 101, stated that his district includes the community of Kotzebue where Ashley Johnson-Barr was living at the time of her tragic death. 3:57:50 PM SETH BEAVER, Staff, Senator Donny Olson, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska introduced SB 101 on behalf of the sponsor paraphrasing the following sponsor statement: SB 101 establishes March 12th as Ashley Johnson-Barr Day to commemorate the life of young Ashley Johnson- Barr, who was taken from this world too soon at ten years old. In an unimaginable time of grief and loss, communities across the state and nation joined the family and friends of Ashley in support. While loss is overwhelming, there is comfort in knowing progress can be made in ensuring that other children will not encounter the same tragedy. SB 101 aims to bring light surrounding tragedy. Establishing Ashley Johnson-Barr Day brings awareness surrounding violent crimes committed against children and highlights that individuals hold a moral responsibility to make sure Alaska's children are protected. It is complementary to the annual Sexual Assault Awareness Resolution that passes the legislature every year. Additionally, it brings awareness to the missing and murdered indigenous women across North America. 84.3% of Alaska Native/Native American women experience violence in their lifetime, a percentage we desperately need to reduce. Honoring Ashley's life by wearing her favorite color purple, volunteering for child abuse prevention organizations, and celebrating the liveliness and youthfulness of Alaska's children are all appropriate ways to spend Ashley Johnson-Barr Day. 3:59:41 PM SENATOR COGHILL asked the sponsor if he was working with organizations statewide to spread this message. SENATOR OLSON replied he plans to do that, but the focus now is to get the resolution signed on or before Ashley Johnson-Barr's birthday on March 12. This will provide comfort to her family and others who have lost children through [sexual] violence. SENATOR COGHILL offered to help spread the message beyond the Kotzebue region. SENATOR OLSON commented that tragedies like this happen far too often throughout the state. He agreed with the governor's statement that perpetrators should be on notice. 4:03:33 PM At ease 4:04:05 PM CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and passed the gavel to Vice Chair Coghill. 4:04:27 PM VICE CHAIR COGHILL opened public testimony on SB 101. 4:04:53 PM LEWIS JAMES PAGEL, City of Kotzebue, Kotzebue, Alaska, stated that this tragedy shows how people from all walks of life can come together and work for the greater good. The support for this resolution has not dwindled but rather has spread across the state, nation, and other countries. He expressed hope that establishing March 12 as Ashley Johnson-Barr Day not only brings awareness of violence against children but also serves as a reminder that humanity can show compassion and that the world has more good in it than bad. 4:06:49 PM ANTHONY CRAVALHO, representing self, Kotzebue, Alaska, expressed appreciation that SB 101 has bipartisan support because this issue is not political. He related that for more than 15 years he has advocated for measures relating to sexual assault and supporting victim services in Kotzebue. He said this is often very sad and difficult work because the Kotzebue region has the highest rate of felony sexual assault offenses in the state, but Ashley's story is the saddest he is experienced. Establishing Ashley Johnson-Barr Day is about remembering one young girl raising awareness and starting meaningful discussions about the welfare of Alaskan children and the sexual assault challenges some of them face. He pointed out that children who survive sexual assault often are traumatized into adulthood and this trauma can affect future generations. He cited the latest Alaska Felony Sexual Offense Report that shows that 42 percent of Alaska Native females (like Ashley) are sexual assault victims. This is the highest rate of any gender or racial group in the state. MR. CRAVALHO said he is calling as a father, an advocate, and the chair of the Kotzebue Advisory School Council to ask for support for SB 101. This will help recognize all sexual assault victims and bring other stories of sexual assault into the light Addressing Senator Coghill's earlier question, he said the Maniilaq Association in partnership with the Alaska Children's Trust and the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA) has done some outreach in coordination with the family. VICE CHAIR COGHILL thanked him for his work. 4:11:02 PM WALTER SCOTTY DANIEL BARR, Maniilaq Association, Kotzebue, Alaska, testified as the father of Ashley Johnson-Barr to encourage the committee to pass SB 101 to establish March 12 as Ashley Johnson-Barr Day. It will bring awareness and help prevent further sexual violence against children. He thanked the sponsor for his advocacy and the many people around the state and nation who have reached out in support. This is one thing that may help stop the epidemic [of sexual violence] that has gone on for decades, he said. VICE CHAIR COGHILL extended his condolences and expressed hope that this effort will help rid the state of this scourge. SENATOR OLSON expressed hope that commemorating Ashley Johnson- Barr on March 12 would help end this epidemic of evil. 4:17:35 PM CHRIS DANKMEYER, representing self, Kotzebue, Alaska, stated that all Alaskans suffered through the tragic loss of 10-year- old Ashley Johnson-Barr. He said the local, state, and federal response as well as the candlelight vigils were witness to the outpouring of love and support to the Johnson-Barr family. The color purple, Ashley's favorite color, gained meaning and became a symbol of strength. He emphasized that Alaska must not tolerate the high rates of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, the high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault, or any violent crimes against children. This measure highlights the moral responsibility to protect Alaska's children by demonstrating that "Enough is enough." VICE CHAIR COGHILL closed public testimony on SB 101 and solicited the will of the committee. 4:20:05 PM SENATOR KAWASAKI moved to report SB 101, work order 31-LS0752\M, from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note(s). VICE CHAIR COGHILL stated that without objection, SB 101 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee