02/24/1998 04:11 PM House MLV
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
February 24, 1998
4:11 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Beverly Masek, Chair
Representative Joe Ryan
Representative Pete Kott
Representative Eldon Mulder
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Irene Nicholia
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
* HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 51
Relating to support for H.R. 2924, which allows certain Alaska
Native Vietnam veterans and the Elim Native Corporation to select
land under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
- MOVED CSHJR 51(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
* HOUSE BILL NO. 362
"An Act relating to the use of space for military lounges in state-
owned or state-controlled airports."
- MOVED HB 362 OUT OF COMMITTEE
(* First public hearing)
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HJR 51
SHORT TITLE: SUPPORT H.R. 2924
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVES(S) MASEK, Foster, Ivan
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
01/26/98 2132 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
01/26/98 2132 (H) MLV
02/19/98 (H) MLV AT 4:30 PM CAPITOL 17
02/19/98 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
02/24/98 (H) MLV AT 4:00 PM CAPITOL 17
BILL: HB 362
SHORT TITLE: AIRPORT MILITARY LOUNGES
SPONSOR(S): SPECIAL CMTE MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
01/28/98 2153 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
01/28/98 2154 (H) MLV, STATE AFFAIRS
02/19/98 (H) MLV AT 4:30 PM CAPITOL 17
02/19/98 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
02/24/98 (H) MLV AT 4:00 PM CAPITOL 17
WITNESS REGISTER
DONALD STOLWORTHY, Legislative Administrative
Assistant to Representative Beverly Masek
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 432
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-2811
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented sponsor statement for HJR 51.
LAWRENCE SIFSOF
P.O. Box 15
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
Telephone: (907) 842-5523
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 51.
DAN NODEN
P.O. Box 896
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
Telephone: (907) 842-5131
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 51.
PATRICK CHIKLAK, JR.
Realty Department
Bristol Bay Native Association
P.O. Box 1281
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
Telephone: (907) 842-5257
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HJR 51.
LAURENCE O'NEILL
3123 East 41st Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 51.
PETER CHRISTOPHER
Box 85
New Stuyahok, Alaska 99636
Telephone: (907) 693-3171
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 51.
VERNE GOLIA
P.O. Box 465
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
Telephone: (907) 842-5548
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 51.
VICTOR SIFSOF
P.O. Box 815
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
Telephone: (907) 842-5574
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 51.
TOM MORGAN
Anchorage Armed Services YMCA
19341 Upper Skyline Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99577
Telephone: (907) 552-9622
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 362.
BONNIE DORMAN
8831 Cross Pointe Loop
Anchorage, Alaska 99504
Telephone: (907) 333-9003
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 362.
COLONEL SAMUEL JOHNSON, Commander
Eleventh Air Support Group
5841 Azalea Drive
Anchorage, Alaska
Telephone: (907) 552-3443
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 362.
DENNIS R. POSHARD, Legislative Liaison
and Special Assistant
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities
3132 Channel Drive
Juneau, Alaska 99801-7898
Telephone: (907) 465-3904
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 362.
CAROL CARROLL, Director
Administrative Services Division
Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs
P.O. Box 110900
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0900
Telephone: (907) 465-4730
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 362.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 98-1, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIR BEVERLY MASEK called the House Special Committee on Military
and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 4:11 p.m. Members
present at the call to order were Representatives Masek, Ryan, Kott
and Joule. Representative Mulder arrived at 4:12 p.m.,
Representative Nicholia arrived at 4:20 p.m. and Representative
Foster arrived at 4:21 p.m.
HJR 51 - SUPPORT H.R. 2924
Number 0080
CHAIR MASEK announced the first order of business would be HJR 51,
"Relating to support for H.R. 2924, which allows certain Alaska
Native Vietnam veterans and the Elim Native Corporation to select
land under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act."
DONALD STOLWORTHY, Legislative Administrative Assistant to
Representative Beverly Masek, Alaska State Legislature, came
forward to present HJR 51. He read the following statement into
the record:
"During the Vietnam Era, between 800 and 2,000 Alaska Natives
serving in the armed forces missed their opportunity to apply for
their Native land allotments under the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (ANCSA). These veterans were either serving in
combat zones, or were overlooked by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA).
"Alaska Congressman Don Young has introduced H.R. 2924 into the
United States Congress in an attempt to rectify this inequity.
H.R. 2924 would amend ANCSA to allow these overlooked veterans an
opportunity to apply for their Native land allotments. It would
also restore 50,000 acres to the Elim Native Corporation's land
entitlement, which was improperly removed by President Hoover
through a presidential executive order.
"The resolution simply calls on the Alaska State Legislature to
support Congressman Young's efforts to right these wrongs."
Number 0188
MR. STOLWORTHY noted HJR 51 has a zero fiscal note.
Number 0218
CHAIR MASEK informed the committee she has a proposed technical
amendment that would make the resolution more accurate and reflect
H.R. 2924. On page 1, line 2, after "veterans" add the word "era."
It would then read, "Relating to support for H.R. 2924, which
allows certain Alaska Native Vietnam era veterans..." Chair Masek
said the same amendment should be made to page 1, line 7.
Number 0295
REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT moved to adopt those changes as Amendment
1. There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
Number 0355
LAWRENCE SIFSOF testified via teleconference from Dillingham in
support of HJR 51. He stated he supports H.R. 2924. Mr. Sifsof
explained he is an Alaskan Native and spent two years in the Army
in 1969 and 1970, and one year in Vietnam. Mr. Sifsof said 1971
was the last year Alaska Natives could select 160 acres of land and
he was in Vietnam at the time of the selection. He said when many
Natives returned from Vietnam, all the land that had easy access
was gone. Mr. Sifsof informed the committee when he came back from
Vietnam he had no money. He continued to discuss the hardship he
had saving money. Mr. Sifsof urged that HJR 51 be passed.
Number 0578
DAN NODEN was next to testify via conference from Dillingham in
support of HJR 51. He informed the committee he is a Vietnam
Veteran. He referred to the 1971 deadline and said he never kept
too close a track of anything that was important to his future, so
he didn't stake any land and didn't even think of it until the
deadline had passed. Mr. Noden pointed out that even if he did
think of it, he had no transportation to get to parcels of land to
stake it. He thanked the committee for listening to him.
Number 0692
PATRICK CHIKLAK, JR., Realty Department, Bristol Bay Native
Association, testified via teleconferece from Dillingham. He
explained his job is to help clients get title to Native
allotments. He stated he believes HJR 51 and H.R. 2924 are good
bills. Our veterans were serving the country at the time of the
land claims. Mr. Chiklak continued to read excerpts out of the
United States Code, Section 278 and 279, and said he would like
similar language added to H.R. 2924. He discussed lengthening the
time frame that Veterans would have to reapply.
CHAIR MASEK asked Mr. Chiklak to forward the excerpts to her office
so she can distribute them to the committee members. She also
noted that some of the issues Mr. Chiklak discussed should be
addressed at the congressional level.
Number 1080
LAURENCE O'NEILL was next to testify via teleconference from
Anchorage. He informed the committee that in 1969 he entered the
United States Army and was in the Infantry. He said he served from
March of 1970, until October of 1971, in Vietnam. When he was done
serving in the Army, he came back to Alaska and found out that
there was a Native allotment selection and he had missed out. Mr.
O'Neill said he notified the BIA, but they told him there was
nothing that could be done. Since that time, everything has been
on hold. He pointed out that when he was in Vietnam he gave more
than 100 percent and was willing to give his life for his country.
Mr. O'Neill said he would love to see the leaders of our country
give the same that he had given during the war. He referred to the
land he is filing for and said his family has lived on that land
and it has very traditional and culture values.
Number 1215
PETER CHRISTOPHER testified via teleconference from New Stuyahok in
support of HJR 51. He said he joined the United States Naval
Service in September, 1971. and served three and a half years and
was done in September, 1975. He said he had no choice in joining
because his draft number was low. That was right after he
graduated from high school. He stated that he wasn't in the state
at the time of Native allotment section. Mr. Christopher indicated
he served the country and he shouldn't have such a hard time
receiving a Native allotment. He informed the committee of the
subsistence sites that his family has used. He said he is in full
support of HJR 51.
Number 1409
VERNE N. GOLIA was the next witness to testify via teleconference
from Dillingham. He indicated that when the ANCSA was enacted,
there were people who were serving the country. They went to a
foreign country. He said he served from August of 1966 to August
of 1967. When he came back, he really didn't understand what was
going on. He had heard about ANCSA, but his mind wasn't right. He
urged that the legislation be passed.
Number 1547
VICTOR SIFSOF testified via teleconference from Dillingham. He
informed the committee members he is the past president of
Choggiung, Limited, a Native Corporation in Dillingham. He stated
he is currently the Native Hire Coordinator for Bristol Bay
Hospital Corporation. He said he isn't a veteran, but has felt
very strongly about this issue for years as he had a brother and
number of friends that went to war. They didn't have an
opportunity to get the land that the rest of the people were
getting. Mr. Sifsof said he strongly supports HJR 51. He said his
brother actually used a piece of land for hunting and trapping, and
when he returned, somebody else had already got the land. He
stated when his brother returned, he was a changed person and it
took several years for him to start focusing on anything. He urged
that the resolution be passed.
Number 1656
REPRESENTATIVE JOE RYAN said if you read the congressional record,
in addition to Congressman Young's testimony, there is testimony
from Richard Rolland, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals
Management. Secretary Rolland addresses the entitlement for the
Elim Corporation, but says there has been an over selection.
Representative Ryan quoted from Mr. Rolland's comments, "Moreover
the proposed amendment presents a problem in that about 11,440
acres of described lands proposed for conveyance to Elim had been
probably selected by the Native Village Koyuk. This would leave
only 38,560 acres for Elim instead of the 50,000 they desire. The
proposed amendment is included in H.R. 3157. It should include
clear congressional intent and guidance to which (indisc.) receive
the 11,440 acres and provides that the conveyance is in full
satisfaction of Elim's entitlement under Section 19(B)."
Representative Ryan asked Chair Masek if she knows if Congressman
Young has addressed that in his bill or will that be something that
will have to be revisited.
Number 1712
CHAIR MASEK responded that Congressman Young has written her a
letter, dated December 17, that the committee members should have
in their committee file. The letter states that there will be a
hearing scheduled, but a date hasn't been set as of yet. Chair
Masek said she assumes those issues will be brought up during that
hearing. She suggested contacting Congressman Young regarding the
issue. She noted it will probably take over a year and a half for
them to go through the lengthy process of going through ANCSA to
try and find where the lands will come from. She indicated she
would follow-up with Congressman Young regarding that issue.
CHAIR MASEK said there were no other witnesses to testify.
Number 1763
REPRESENTATIVE ELDON MULDER made a motion to move CSHJR 51 from
committee with the accompanying fiscal notes and individual
recommendations.
CHAIR MASEK asked if there was an objection. There being none,
CSHJR 51(MLV) moved out of the Special Committee on Military and
Veterans' Affairs.
HB 362 - AIRPORT MILITARY LOUNGES
Number 1790
CHAIR MASEK announced the next order of business would be HB 362
"An Act relating to the use of space for military lounges in state-
owned or state-controlled airports," sponsored by the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
Number 1820
TOM MORGAN, Anchorage Armed Services YMCA, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage. He read the his statement into the
record:
"For more years than anyone knows, the Armed Services YMCA has been
quietly and competently serving the traveling military through the
Military Courtesy Lounge now located at Concourse B at Anchorage
International Airport. A safe and secure place has been dedicated
to the Armed Forces at no expense to the state or to the military,
"Reaching over 22,000 visitors in 1997, quasi booster clubs provide
the volunteers to staff this lounge 365 days a year meeting the
needs of domestic and international military members and their
families.
"Alaska continues to be of strategic importance to the training of
our military and the defense of the nation. The military has
always been there for us, we should not shift our duties to them.
The existing statute does not allow the Armed Services YMCA to
provide these services without a rental charge. So that we may
continue to meet the needs of the traveling military in Alaska, the
Armed Services YMCA supports HB 362. This change will allow us to
continue our work, at the same time authorize the Anchorage
International Airport to offer this space rent free.
"I might add this arrangement would be consistent with other
military lounge operations at airports (indisc.) by the Armed
Services YMCA or the USO. Again, thank you for the opportunity to
speak today."
Number 1900
BONNIE DORMAN was next to testify via teleconference from
Anchorage. She stated she has worked in the (indisc.) squadron at
Elmendorf Air Force Base and has had the pleasure of being a
volunteer in the YMCA Lounge at the airport. She indicated it is
a benefit because it is nice to be able help people who are
traveling. She is able to direct them to where they need to be or
what they need to do. She said that, as a traveler, she has
utilized the lounges for leisure. It is crucial that they are
provided with a safe and comfortable environment. She urged the
passage of HB 362.
Number 1941
COLONEL SAMUEL JOHNSON, Commander, testified via teleconference
from Anchorage. He stated that he would encourage support for HB
362. He said at least since 1962, when he first came to Alaska,
the lounge has been supported by the YMCA and a partnership with
the Anchorage International Airport to provide this invaluable
service to our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen as they travel
through and from the Anchorage International Airport, both
domestically and internationally. Colonel Johnson stated last year
more than 23,000 travelers took advantage of this wonderful
service. As our military members and their families travel
overseas with extended airport connection times, this lounge
provides a much needed service. It gives our soldiers, airmen and
sailors a place to rest and care for their families, as well as to
communicate back to their military units and families via the
autobahn system which is a government phone system. He noted that
at times he has commanded as many as 2,500 troops on Elmendorf and
a lot of his people use that invaluable service. Colonel Johnson
encouraged support for the legislation.
Number 2006
REPRESENTATIVE MULDER asked Mr. Morgan and Colonel Johnson to pass
along to the staff and board members his congratulations on an
excellent Salute to the Military the previous Friday evening.
Number 2040
DENNIS R. POSHARD, Legislative Liaison and Special Assistant,
Office of the Commissioner, Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities, came forward to testify. He said the committee can see
in the few sentences in the department's fiscal note that they have
no opposition to HB 362. He said he wanted to point out that the
fiscal note is zero because the department is going to proceed
under the assumption that they are not required to bump a current
tenant. If there is revenue generating space available and someone
is willing to pay for that space, the DOT/PF will take the
revenues. He said in every instance where there is space
available, the department will make it available, free of charge,
to the appropriate organization. Once they're in, the department
is not going to bump them for someone else.
Number 2094
CAROL CARROLL, Director, Administrative Services Division,
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, came before the
committee. She said the department does support HB 362. It is
nice to show appreciation to those who do serve our country and one
of they ways of doing that is to provide a comfortable place while
they're traveling.
Number 2121
REPRESENTATIVE MULDER thanked Chair Masek for submitting the
legislation and said it is a very worthwhile venture. He noted,
for the record, that he has a conflict of interest as he is a board
member of the Armed Services YMCA. Representative Mulder then made
a motion to move HB 362 out of committee with individual
recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal notes.
CHAIRMAN MASEK said his conflict would be noted in the record. She
then asked if there was an objection to moving HB 362 out of
committee. There being none, HB 362 moved out of the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
HJR 51 - SUPPORT H.R. 2924
REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD FOSTER referred to HJR 51, which was heard
earlier during the meeting, and said he has a conflict of interest
as he is one-quarter Eskimo, was in Vietnam and missed the entire
selection process.
CHAIR MASEK indicated that it would be noted in the record.
CHAIR MASEK said she also attended the Twenty-First Annual Salute
to the Military with Representative Mulder. There were 12 people
that were recognized and of those 12 people, 7 were women.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 2222
CHAIR MASEK adjourned the House Special Committee on Military and
Veterans' Affairs at 4:50 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|