Legislature(2011 - 2012)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/28/2012 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB304 | |
| HB254 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 304 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 254 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 28, 2012
1:36 p.m.
1:36:57 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stoltze called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:36 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Thomas Jr., Co-Chair
Representative Anna Fairclough, Vice-Chair
Representative Mia Costello
Representative Mike Doogan
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative Les Gara
Representative David Guttenberg
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Mark Neuman
Representative Tammie Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Craig Johnson; Erin Shine, Staff,
Representative Craig Johnson; Representative Alan Dick;
Genevieve Cook, teacher aid; Selina Eberson, Tlingit Elder,
Harbor View Elementary; Alice Haldane, Hoonah, Alaska;
Beverly Faye Hugo, Cultural Teacher, Barrow Alaska; Marsh
Hotch, Tlingit speaker; Roby Littlefield, Tlingit teacher,
Sitka School District; Chrisann Justice, Inupiaq Education
Department, North Slope School District; Edward Hotch,
parent; Paul Marks, Goldbelt Corporation, Juneau; Nancy
Douglas, Sitka; Mark Hans Chester, Second Grade teacher,
JSD Sealaska Heritage; Representative Cathy Munoz
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Tom Westcott, President, Alaska Professional Firefighters;
Gorden Descuther, Executive Director, Alaska Fire Standards
Council; Jeff Tucker, Alaska State Fire Chiefs Association;
Annette Evans Smith, President & CEO, Alaska Native
Heritage Center; Denise Morris, President, First Alaska
Institute; Patrick Anderson, Executive Director,
Chugachmiut; Byron Charles, Ketchikan; Jerry Ahwinona,
Nome, Alaska, District Chairman Republican Party
SUMMARY
HB 254 ALASKA NATIVE LANGUAGE COUNCIL
HB 254 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
HB 304 ALASKA FIRE STANDARDS COUNCIL
HB 304 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with previously
published fiscal note: FN1 (DPS).
HOUSE BILL 304
"An Act relating to the membership of the Alaska
Fire Standards Council."
1:37:07 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze disclosed that there may be some possible
changes to HB 254, therefore it would probably not leave
the committee today.
1:38:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, commented that he had
introduced the bill at the request of fire departments
throughout the state.
ERIN SHINE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, explained
that the bill makes reasonable changes to the Alaska Fire
Standards Council. The first change designates an existing
seat to a member of the Alaska Professional Firefighters
Association. The second change adds a seat for the Alaska
Fire Chiefs Association, and the third, reclassifies the
existing seat from a Firefighter Administrative Officer to
a member of the Alaska State Firefighters Association. The
mission of the Alaska Fire Standards Council is to
establish professional standards for fire service personnel
and curriculum requirements for the certification of the
training program. Under HB 304, the governor appoints one
member from each of the three associations to the Alaska
Fire Standards Council from a list of a least three
nominees submitted by each association. The intent of HB
304 is to ensure that all three associations are
represented on the Alaska Fire Standards Council and that
the members can speak with the full confidence of their
respective associations in council meetings.
Representative Doogan questioned what happens when all
twelve members show up and want to vote.
Ms. Shine said that currently the board consists of eleven
members, but will become a twelve member board under the
bill. In the event that all twelve voting members are
there, the Chair will abstain from voting.
1:41:54 PM
TOM WESTCOTT, PRESIDENT, ALASKA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS
(via teleconference), voiced his support for the bill. He
disclosed that the Standards Council gave their support for
this legislation. The main goal is for it to be another
tool to assist the Standards Council in doing their job.
Representative Guttenberg questioned Mr. Wescott on why the
legislation was needed, what was the problem and how can it
be fixed. Mr. Westcott answered that the bill designates a
seat for the Alaska Professional Firefighters on the Alaska
Fire Standards Council and insures there will always be a
representative on the board. The intent is for the position
to be a valuable addition.
GORDEN DESCUTHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA FIRE STANDARDS
COUNCIL (via teleconference), testified in support of the
bill. The agreement is that both positions would augment
the council's ability to perform its mission.
1:45:12 PM
JEFF TUCKER, ALASKA STATE FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION (via
teleconference), supported the bill. The addition of the
positions puts the three major state firefighting
associations on the standards council.
Co-Chair Stoltze CLOSED public testimony. He referred to
the fiscal note. He believed the funds were covering travel
expenses for the additional person.
Co-Chair Stoltze indicated he had worked to get the funding
for the bill. He expressed that it was important to have
standards for training, whether for volunteers or paid
positions.
Vice-chair Fairclough MOVED to report HB 304 out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being, NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
HB 304 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with previously published fiscal note:
FN1 (DPS).
1:48:35 PM
AT EASE
1:49:53 PM
RECONVENED
HOUSE BILL 254
"An Act establishing the Alaska Native Language
Preservation and Advisory Council and relating to the
preservation, restoration, and revitalization of
Alaska Native languages."
1:50:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALAN DICK, spoke of the need for HB 254. He
signified that he and his wife Helen had administered, for
three years, an endangered language grant for the Alaska
Native Heritage Center. The program consisted of creating
language lessons, video language lessons, and an Athabaskan
lexicon. For decades the native people of Alaska have
indicated what is needed to provide for the healthiest
community and the people have emphasized that learning
their language is a fundamental foundation for this
improvement. He informed that built within each native
language are connections that cannot be easily translated
or understood in English. He contended that the reason for
teaching the native language outside of the home is to get
better at it in the same way that English is taught in the
schools. He reiterated the past history of the native
people of Alaska when they were forbidden to speak their
language. He opined that validation from the state and the
school system is needed in preserving native languages. He
spoke of the variety of languages and groups.
Representative Dick pointed out the five main different
cultural areas in Alaska. The bill asks for a council to
discuss the modern day issues that have to do with language
restoration. Ten years from now the conversation will not
be possible because the native speaking elders are passing
away. He complimented the documentation of the languages by
the University of Alaska Fairbanks by brilliant linguists,
but the bill concerns itself more with the restoration and
revitalization of the languages. Representative Dick
favored the three year sunset. He also spoke of the council
being able to take advantage of new technology and software
to revitalize languages.
1:57:56 PM
Representative Dick expressed his hope that the council
will provide wisdom and a concrete product to guide in
later decision making and that the legislative body will
acknowledge the importance of the bill.
Co-Chair Thomas opined that, although he is enthusiastic
about the concept, he did not believe anything was gained
leaving it with the Department of Education. He remarked
that it could really work with a native organization
already providing the information. He believed the program
would be bound for failure if it is in Department of
Education. He continued that under the bill, the people in
charge would not be Alaska Native speakers. He suggested
the program be turned over to First Alaskans with a
possible tax credit to help fund it. His concern is putting
on another state employee who would not get anywhere with
the program. He suggested that possibly an oil company
could help fund the project.
Representative Dick indicated that he welcomed any friendly
amendment.
Co-Chair Thomas signified that the right people in charge
could do a better job.
2:00:28 PM
Representative Edgmon agreed with many of the comments. He
directed a question to Co-Chair Thomas and asked if his
idea was for the bill to go forward as it is, but with a
different funding source.
Co-Chair Thomas indicated that changes could be made with
the sponsor. He argued that the goal is to preserve Alaska
Native languages and put it into the hands of people who
already know how to speak them. First Alaskans is set up to
be an educational arm of the Alaska Native people.
Representative Edgmon disclosed his need to get a better
understanding of the bill. He believed both Co-Chair
Thomas's idea and the bill had merit. Co-Chair Stoltze
agreed on the fiscal concerns and how it is funded.
2:03:24 PM
Representative Gara expressed that he liked the concept,
but in relation to the fiscal note, he was worried about
many good people doing a lot of work that ends up getting
disregarded. The way the bill is written, people will work
on the recommendations, and then nothing has to happen. It
is almost like a task force. He commented that it should
not take experts long to come up with a language
preservation policy. He suggested that after the program is
complete, a "Shall" should be added to implement a plan or
a program. He pointed out the bill now lacks the "Shall"
portion which is necessary to make sure something happens.
Represent Dick appreciated Representative Gara's insight.
Representative Joule spoke that he would like to revisit
the issue of a person from the Bush Caucus being appointed
to the council. As a legislator he has tried to be a bridge
from rural to urban Alaska. He suggested that someone from
the legislature who has an interest in the issue or someone
who questions the issue should be involved. He signified
the need for a broader base of support of people who have
an interest or could be engaged to give a broader
perspective.
Co-Chair Stoltze agreed.
Vice-chair Fairclough stated that she liked Representative
Joule's comments and agreed with the importance of reaching
out to those in the legislature who may not be supportive.
If those individuals could be reached, it could create a
momentum for the project. She declared that passionate
people involved in an issue can make a difference. If
Representative Dick wants the state do something, champions
will be needed from both legislative bodies to make it
happen.
2:09:00 PM
ANNETTE EVANS SMITH, PRESIDENT & CEO, ALASKA NATIVE
HERITAGE CENTER (via teleconference), spoke in her native
language. She communicated that many believe the DNA of a
culture lives within the languages. The loss of a language
brings about the loss of vast amounts of traditional
knowledge. The indigenous languages of Alaska make the
state unique and offer a glimpse into thousands of years of
history. It is critical to take proactive measures now to
strengthen languages while language speakers in each of the
Alaskan cultural groups still exist. Evidence exists that
indigenous children with strong linguistic and cultural
background are more academically successful. Languages
provide a strong cultural identity and strong sense of
self. The Alaska Native Heritage Center's award winning
programs have seen successes many times. Language learning
produces a stronger cultural identity and self-esteem. She
emphasized that because government has played such a
powerful role in the decline of native languages, it is
reasonable to expect they can play a role in restoring
those languages. She thanked Representative Dick and
Representative Munoz for sponsoring the bill.
Vice-chair Fairclough noted that in reviewing the Alaska
Native Heritage Center's mission, it has been suggested
that the First Alaskans might be a better place for this
conversation. Ms. Smith agreed with the intent of the bill
and agreed support for the panel would live well within the
Alaskan Native Heritage Center and their mission.
2:14:27 PM
DENISE MORRIS, PRESIDENT, FIRST ALASKA INSTITUTE (via
teleconference), supported the bill. She extended a thank-
you to the sponsors and co-sponsors of the bill. First
Alaskans Institute is state-wide non-profit Native
organization for advancing and shaping decisions that
affect their lives. Revitalization of native language
learning is important for the restoration for the health
and well-being of communities of Alaska. All languages have
a home and Alaska is the home of many indigenous native
languages. The language exists nowhere else in the world.
She expressed that there had been some discussion on the
make-up of the panel and the importance of having Alaska
native speakers on it. She also emphasized that there are
entire generations of Alaskans who do not know their native
language, but are critically involved in teaching and
advancing Alaska Native language revitalization.
2:19:01 PM
PATRICK ANDERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHUGACHMIUT (via
teleconference), supported the bill. He explained that his
consortium consisted of seven tribes from Prince William
Sound and the lower Cook Inlet regions. He believed it is a
race against time to preserve and restore his areas major
language, Sugcestun. The native village of Eyak lost their
race to preserve and restore their language when its last
native speaker passed away in 2008. In 2008 there were
forty eight fluent Sugcestun speakers in the region, today
there are only thirty five. Some adults can use the
language, but are not fluent. He spoke of the young people
in the 1950s sent to mission schools and literally had
their language beaten out of them. As a result he did not
live with native parents who were able to speak their
native languages. He stressed that there is a very short
time to restore the language. He reported that in his
region there are three fluent speaking teachers certified
by the state of Alaska. The school districts of Alaska do
not see the importance of teaching native languages in the
school; therefore the teachers are only working outside the
schools. He agreed with the question of resources and found
that funding has always been tight. He appreciated
Representative Dick's efforts to support the language
council. There needs to be advocates for the bill in the
legislature and the administration.
2:25:53 PM
BYRON CHARLES, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), introduced
himself in the Tlingit language. He commented that the
dialects of the Tlingit people are different throughout
Southeast Alaska. He spoke of the importance for young
people being able to speak and understand it. The elders
are often sad because they know the young try, but find it
difficult. It is much easier to teach a language at a
younger age. He supported the bill and agreed that the best
resources are the elderly people still alive today.
Co-Chair Stoltze acknowledged Co-Sponsor Representative
Cathy Munoz in the room.
2:29:27 PM
GENEVIEVE COOK, TEACHER AID, spoke in her native language
and testified in support of the bill.
SELINA EBERSON, TLINGIT ELDER, HARBOR VIEW ELEMENTARY,
voiced her support of the bill. She noted that she is a
fluent speaker of her Tlingit language. When she was young
she was forbidden speak, dance or sing. She asserted that
the native people have been hurt and all they are asking
for is some help from the state to carry language, dance
and song back so children can know who they are. The bill
means very much to her. The Alaska Native Sisterhood and
Brotherhood donated when they could to help with the
preservation and educating the children. She wanted to see
the native languages alive 100 years from today.
2:33:32 PM
ALICE HALDANE, HOONAH, ALASKA, supported the bill. She
pointed out that she works in Glacier Bay as a cultural
intern and is often asked why the native languages were
taken away from them. She stated she wants to see it all
come back so the people can have their pride back.
BEVERLY FAYE HUGO, CULTURAL TEACHER, BARROW ALASKA,
encouraged support for the bill. She spoke in her native
language. She indicated that her group had been invited by
the Tlingit and Haida to provide tools to help them build
up their language program. She felt fortunate to have been
grounded in her language by the time she left home. She
expressed that it has been hard to maintain her cultural
identity. She informed that some professors at the
university were clueless about her cultural heritage and
language and declared that no one has the right to ask
others to lose their culture and language. Native people
should not have to give up their identity or personhood.
She believed the legislature had a responsibility to serve
the people.
2:38:42 PM
Representative Wilson thanked Ms. Hugo for her teaching.
Representative Joule stated that he had the privilege of
visiting Ms. Hugo's class in Barrow and was amazed at her
achievements.
MARSH HOTCH, TLINGIT SPEAKER, voiced her support for the
bill. She began in her native language and revealed she
teaches her language. She thanked the sponsors of the bill.
Ms. Hotch learned her language while being raised by her
grandparents, but related that when she went to school her
parents were told they could only speak English in the
home. Her parents wanted the best for their daughter, but
her parents did not speak English very well and the house
became silent. Her grandmother wondered what would happen
to her granddaughter's grandchildren when they did not know
who they were. She stressed the importance of young people
learning their language and related a story of one young
man and the difference in his behavior and demeanor when
speaking his language and knowing his culture. She wants
the language preserved and placed inside the soul of the
young.
2:49:00 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze handed the gavel to Co-Chair Thomas.
2:50:23 PM
ROBY LITTLEFIELD, TLINGIT TEACHER, SITKA SCHOOL DISTRICT,
testified first in the Tlingit language. She learned
Tlingit from her father-in-law after her marriage. Sealaska
Heritage has provided teaching classes for fluent speakers
and their apprentices. She expressed strong feelings about
what needs to be done to keep native languages alive. She
pointed out that documenting and preserving the language is
not enough to keep it alive. She talked of the need for
cultural and academic language standards. Cultural
awareness is for all people in Alaska, not just the Alaska
Native, but she acknowledged it is hard to do without
support. The Alaska Native Heritage Curriculum needs to be
taught in the schools and valued in the state. It helps to
make the state special. She reminded that time is short as
native language speaking elders are rapidly passing away.
2:58:18 PM
CHRISANN JUSTICE, INUPIAQ EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, North Slope
SCHOOL DISTRICT, supported the bill. She indicated that she
works with the Inupiaq teachers to develop materials that
are used in their classes to teach the language. She
divulged and that she was raised bi-lingual, bi-cultural,
not in Alaska, and that experience helps her understand the
importance of languages in helping people identify
themselves. She declared how shocked she is when meeting
educated people who do not understand the importance of the
revitalization of native languages.
3:00:36 PM
EDWARD HOTCH, PARENT, supported the bill. He acknowledged
the bill is not a cure-all, but does provide a foot hold.
After years of being told they could not speak their native
language in school, the move will allow it come back.
Elders are being lost daily; there has been a loss of half
the Tlingit speakers over the past year. He discussed a
previous big push to have English-only in public schools,
but it is important for children to learn where they come
from and to know their own language. He discussed Elizabeth
Peratrovich Day and related a story regarding a teacher who
said celebrating that day was a waste of her time and tore
up the news flyer announcing the day. He explained that
everything Elizabeth Peratrovich had fought for was torn
away by the teacher's words. The bill is not a cure-all,
but would provide Alaska Natives with a step forward. He
believed it was important to understand that the bill would
not just help Alaska Natives, but would also help Alaska as
a state. He worked with Goldbelt Heritage to get the native
languages taught in the schools, but the message was sent
that native language teaching was neither worth the time or
effort. He thanked the committee for its support.
3:05:40 PM
Co-Chair Thomas related a personal story about his name.
PAUL MARKS, GOLDBELT CORPORATION, JUNEAU, thanked the
committee and spoke in Tlingit. He told a personal story
about growing up with Tlingit spoken in the home. When he
started school, he became confused by the western foreign-
thinking system. He thinks in Tlingit. Most of the people
he named in his story were no longer living. His older
sister published a book that told a story about their lives
as children. His sister was hidden in the bow of the family
boat when she was little to prevent the federal marshals
from taking her away to learn the English language. The
bill would help the Alaska Native regain their dignity and
it would be a big feather in the hats of the committee
members to help Alaska Natives with its support.
3:12:08 PM
Mr. Marks continued to discuss the merits of learning and
understanding the Tlingit language. He restated that the
bill would help Natives regain their dignity and help their
children be proud. He stressed that Alaska Natives needed
their language back and urged the support of the committee.
3:13:47 PM
NANCY DOUGLAS, SITKA, grew up with a Tlingit mother who
spoke the language. She stated that she has created
opportunities to learn the language working with elders in
Sitka and told stories of her experiences to learn. She had
an opportunity to be a student learning to be a teacher.
She was asked to create a program to teach the Alaska
Native culture and language in the Juneau school district.
The elders want the voices of their ancestors to be heard
across the land.
Representative Gara talked about the English-only law. When
he first arrived in Alaska, he felt the need to respect
those who were here thousands of years before him so when
the English-only law passed, he worked with the Native
American Rights Fund to challenge that law. Part of law
said that the native language could not be spoken during
traditional village meetings. That was offensive to him. A
bill like HB 254 cannot make up for what has happened in
the past, but it helps to turn the curve and gain ground
from what has been lost in the past.
3:18:04 PM
Co-Chair Thomas commented on a personal story.
JERRY AHWINONA, NOME, ALASKA, DISTRICT CHAIRMAN REPUBLICAN
PARTY (via teleconference), supported the bill. He
commented that he was raised speaking his native language,
but in elementary school he was forced to learn English. He
studied the encyclopedia to learn the English language
forgetting most of his own culture and language. He learned
what words meant in English.
3:22:04 PM
MARK HANS CHESTER, SECOND GRADE TEACHER, JSD SEALASKA
HERITAGE, grew up learning English. He did not start
studying Tlingit until he went to college. He expressed the
importance of the bill in the eyes of the elders. It is
just as important for his generation and those generations
to come. The bill might allow native speakers throughout
the state to collaborate together. Each language is very
different from the other and new ideas might be inspired
from each other. There were four to five hundred native
speakers when he started to learn the language, now sixteen
years later, there are less than one hundred. He believed
that anything the state can do to put back what was taken
away will help.
Co-Chair Stoltze talked about the native village of
Eukultna in his district and the industrial school that
once was there. He declared how pleased he was to have the
opportunity to help rectify the past and step in the right
direction.
Representative Joule interjected that the word to use is
"healing."
Co-Chair Stoltze thanked all that participated.
HB 254 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
3:29:13 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 3:29 PM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 304 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HFIN 2/28/2012 1:30:00 PM |
HB 304 |
| HB 304 Letters of Support.pdf |
HFIN 2/28/2012 1:30:00 PM |
HB 304 |
| HB 304 Backup.pdf |
HFIN 2/28/2012 1:30:00 PM |
HB 304 |
| HB 254 Support Letter North Slope Borough School District.pdf |
HFIN 2/28/2012 1:30:00 PM |
HB 254 |
| HB 254 Support Letter First Alaskans Institute.pdf |
HFIN 2/28/2012 1:30:00 PM |
HB 254 |
| HB 254 Support Letter Byron Mallot Sealaska.pdf |
HFIN 2/28/2012 1:30:00 PM |
HB 254 |
| HB 254 Sponsor Statement AK Native Language Councilpdf.pdf |
HFIN 2/28/2012 1:30:00 PM |
HB 254 |
| HB 254 Dr. Rosita Worl Testimony Native Language Revitalization.pdf |
HFIN 2/28/2012 1:30:00 PM |
HB 254 |
| CS HB 254(STA) Sectional Analysispdf.pdf |
HFIN 2/28/2012 1:30:00 PM |
HB 254 |
| HB254-NEW FN-DCCED-DCRA-02-24-12.pdf |
HFIN 2/28/2012 1:30:00 PM |
HB 254 |
| HB 254 Written Testimony - AE Smith 2 16 12.pdf |
HFIN 2/28/2012 1:30:00 PM |
HB 254 |