Legislature(2019 - 2020)BARNES 124
03/28/2019 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB72 | |
| HB56 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 72 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 28, 2019
8:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Harriet Drummond, Co-Chair
Representative Sara Hannan, Co-Chair
Representative Matt Claman
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Representative Steve Thompson
Representative Josh Revak
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Sharon Jackson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 72
"An Act establishing the month of February as Black History
Month."
- MOVED HB 72 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 56
"An Act establishing May 15 of each year as Hmong-American
Veterans Day."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 72
SHORT TITLE: BLACK HISTORY MONTH
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STORY
02/25/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/25/19 (H) CRA
03/26/19 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
03/26/19 (H) Heard & Held
03/26/19 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
03/28/19 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 56
SHORT TITLE: ESTABLISH HMONG-AMERICAN VETERANS DAY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TARR
02/20/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/19 (H) MLV, CRA
03/05/19 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/05/19 (H) Heard & Held
03/05/19 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/07/19 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/07/19 (H) Moved HB 56 Out of Committee
03/07/19 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/08/19 (H) MLV RPT 7DP
03/08/19 (H) DP: THOMPSON, KOPP, RAUSCHER, TARR,
JACKSON, TUCK, LEDOUX
03/28/19 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE ANDI STORY
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 72.
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, introduced HB 56.
STEPHANIE ANDREW, Staff
Representative Geran Tarr
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 56 on behalf of Representative
Tarr, prime sponsor.
VERDIE BOWEN, Director
Office of Veteran Affairs
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
56.
PASERT LEE, Founder
Hmong Alaska Community, Inc.
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 56.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:01:24 AM
CO-CHAIR SARA HANNAN called the House Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.
Representatives Claman, Kreiss-Tomkins, Thompson, Revak,
Drummond, and Hannan were present at the call to order.
HB 72-BLACK HISTORY MONTH
8:02:21 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 72, "An Act establishing the month of February
as Black History Month."
8:02:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ANDI STORY, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 72. She opined that it is important to
recognize the contributions African-Americans have made in the
nation and in Alaska. The proposed legislation would help
people remember the contributions of former Senator Bettye Davis
and attorney Mahala Ashley Dickerson, as well as to recognize
the contributions currently being made by so many others. She
offered to answer questions from the committee.
8:03:42 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN noted that no amendments had been submitted.
8:04:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY, upon being invited to add final comment,
stated that she thinks HB 72 would honor the diversity in
communities.
8:04:23 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND moved to report HB 72 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, HB 72 was reported out of the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.
8:04:46 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:05 a.m. to 8:07 a.m.
HB 56-ESTABLISH HMONG-AMERICAN VETERANS DAY
8:07:55 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 56, "An Act establishing May 15 of each year
as Hmong-American Veterans Day."
8:08:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, introduced HB 56. She said it is an honor to have many
Hmong veterans as constituents and she enjoys telling their
story, because she thinks it is a story that everyone should
know.
8:08:46 AM
STEPHANIE ANDREW, Staff, Representative Geran Tarr, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HB 56 on behalf of Representative Tarr,
prime sponsor. She said there was a covert operation by the
Central Intelligence Agency, in which Hmong people were involved
and lost tens of thousands of their people. She relayed that
the Hmong are "a distinct ethnic group from the mountainous
regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia." The secret war
was fought on behalf of the U.S. government. Ms. Andrew said
the Hmong continue to be persecuted to this day, and many have
[become refugees] in Australia and the United States - with an
estimated 6,000 Hmong-Americans in Alaska currently.
MS. ANDREW advised that HB 56 seeks to recognize the sacrifice
made by the Hmong veterans by making May 15, in perpetuity,
Hmong-American Veterans Day in Alaska. She explained the reason
May 15 was chosen is because May 15, 1977, was the first time
the U.S. Government recognized that the secret war happened, and
the Hmong people made these sacrifices on behalf of the U.S.
She said the legacy of the sacrifice continues to have
ramifications throughout the Hmong community and impacts all
generations and those [Hmong] living in District 19. She
indicated that passage of the bill "would promote, publicize,
and increase awareness about the important role the Hmong people
played in the United States' history and recognize the service
and sacrifices that were made."
8:10:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR noted that in 2013, Representative LeDoux
had passed a resolution naming May 15, 2013, Hmong-American
Veterans Day. She indicated her understanding that the Hmong
people [in her district] are excited for the possibility of
"making this a permanent, recognized holiday in Alaska." She
said she thinks this recognition is important, because when the
U.S. Government asked for assistance from the Hmong people,
"they responded and served honorably," and the U.S. Government
has "never fulfilled the promise of veterans' benefits." She
concluded that HB 56 would honor the sacrifices that were made.
8:11:49 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND said the Municipality of Anchorage offers
property tax exemptions for veterans. She asked if the proposed
legislation would need to be recognized federally in order for
the Hmong veterans to access benefits.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR responded that the piece missing is "the
federal side of it," such as health care or other retirement
benefits associated with service. She indicated that under HB
56, Hmong Veterans would be eligible for state benefits to
veterans, such as the aforementioned property tax exemption.
She said there previously have been resolutions supporting
burials in military cemeteries. She said there had been a
prominent leader who died a number of years ago and was not able
to be buried as a military veteran. She said the budget bill
that passed last year allowed veterans to be buried at any
veterans' cemetery, with the exception of Arlington National
Cemetery. She said she does not think there is any movement at
the federal level "to offer the other benefits." She explained
that is why she thinks it is so important to take steps to honor
the service of the Hmong veterans. She said a driver's license
bill for Hmong veterans was significant. In response to Co-
Chair Drummond, she offered her understanding that the driver's
licenses are soon to be released. She deferred to Verdie Bowen
for further information on that topic.
8:16:03 AM
VERDIE BOWEN, Director, Office of Veteran Affairs, Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), gave the committee an
update regarding the Hmong veteran license plates. He said the
licenses probably would be ready for issue in 30-40 days.
8:16:41 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN asked if there are additional benefits that
could be offered to Hmong veterans.
MR. BOWEN answered yes; however, he said each piece offered
would have to be done through separate legislation. He
explained that as the state begins the process of recognizing
the Hmong veterans, it will put pressure on the federal
government to pass the federal benefits that are needed to honor
these veterans.
8:17:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR advised that Mr. Bowen could offer more
information regarding the background of the Hmong veteran issue.
8:18:32 AM
MR. BOWEN, in response to a request from Co-Chair Hannan,
offered an historical perspective. He stated that Hmong
veterans began serving in 1961 and completed their service to
the CIA in 1975, after which they were "left to their own to try
and find their way out of the country." He said sadly, although
many agreements were made between Hmong leadership and the CIA
to facilitate care for the Hmong after the [Vietnam] War,
because the war became a stalemate, not only did the Hmong no
longer have a country, they had no place to live. He remarked
that Laos claims to accept the Hmong people but is "still doing
horrible things to the Hmong community." Mr. Bowen said the
U.S. has been a safe haven [for the Hmong people], and he stated
his belief that without the care that the U.S. has provided for
them, [more Hmong people would have been lost]. As it stands,
he reported, there used to be 300,000 Hmong people, but there
are approximately 200,000 worldwide now. In Alaska there are
about 93 Hmong veterans.
MR. BOWEN said he met with the Hmong to try to establish a
birthdate for those who served, which he said is difficult to do
because of the manner in which Hmong soldiers were drafted. He
explained that Hmong soldiers were "drafted by the size of
weapon they carried." He explained that a large weapon would be
taken into the school, a mark [that was at the height of that
weapon] would be made on the wall, and those children who were
at least as tall as the mark were drafted. As the losses
mounted, a smaller size of weapon was used as the marker. There
was no education requirement, just the need for "a warm body
behind a weapon." He stated the reason this army was so
significant is that it was over 30,000. He indicated that was
the largest army the CIA has ever had.
MR. BOWEN concluded that within Alaska's communities the Hmong
are teachers, principals, police officers, medical care
professionals, and National Guard members who really contribute
to the state of Alaska.
8:22:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR recollected one of her [Hmong-American]
neighbors had been recruited at age 13.
CO-CHAIR HANNAN commented, "A pretty tragic chapter in our
history."
8:22:22 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN opened public testimony on HB 56.
8:22:44 AM
PASERT LEE, Founder, Hmong Alaska Community, Inc., testified in
support of HB 56. He mentioned the dates February 8, 1961, to
May 18, 1975, and said [the Hmong] volunteered to support [the
CIA] during that time. He indicated that the Hmong fought
against the communists. He mentioned the number 300,000 and
indicated 35,000 died. He offered further statistics [audio
indiscernible]. Mr. Lee said he hopes May 15 would become
Hmong-Veterans Day.
8:25:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON thanked Mr. Lee for his service.
8:25:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REVAK thanked Mr. Lee for his service and asked
how many times he was wounded in Vietnam.
MR. LEE indicated that he had worked for radio operations. He
mentioned the B-52 and F-14, 15, and 16. He indicated there was
a bomb in his bunker that caused him to pass out for 86 hours;
he said he had an AK-47 bullet in his left hand that had to be
cut out; he mentioned an injury in his skull, at which point he
referred back to the bunker incident.
REPRESENTATIVE REVAK noted he is a co-sponsor of HB 56, and he
said he thinks the proposed legislation honoring the Hmong
people who fought with U.S. military in Vietnam is "fantastic"
and "long-overdue."
8:27:20 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN closed public testimony on HB 56.
8:27:44 AM
CO-CHAIR HANNAN announced that HB 56 was held over.
8:28:03 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 8:28 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB0056 Ver A 3.11.19.PDF |
HCRA 3/28/2019 8:00:00 AM HMLV 3/7/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 56 |
| HB056 Sponsor Statement 3.26.19.pdf |
HCRA 3/28/2019 8:00:00 AM HMLV 3/7/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 56 |
| HB056 Sectional Analysis ver A 2.26.19.pdf |
HCRA 3/28/2019 8:00:00 AM HMLV 3/7/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 56 |
| HB056 Fiscal Note 3.11.19.PDF |
HCRA 3/28/2019 8:00:00 AM HMLV 3/7/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 56 |
| HB056 Supporting Document - Legislative Research.pdf |
HCRA 3/28/2019 8:00:00 AM HMLV 3/7/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 56 |
| HB056 Supporting Documents- Article ADN -Hmong veterans honored in Anchorage 2.26.19.pdf |
HCRA 3/28/2019 8:00:00 AM HMLV 3/7/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 56 |
| HB0072A.PDF |
HCRA 3/26/2019 8:00:00 AM HCRA 3/28/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 72 |
| HB 072 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HCRA 3/26/2019 8:00:00 AM HCRA 3/28/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 72 |
| HB 072 Sponsor Statement 3.5.19.pdf |
HCRA 3/28/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 72 |
| HB056 Supporting Documents - Letters of Support 3.29.19.pdf |
HCRA 3/28/2019 8:00:00 AM HMLV 3/7/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 56 |