Legislature(2001 - 2002)
03/21/2001 04:36 PM House RLS
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE RULES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 21, 2001
4:36 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Pete Kott, Chair
Representative Brian Porter
Representative Vic Kohring
Representative Reggie Joule
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Carl Morgan
Representative Lesil McGuire
Representative Ethan Berkowitz
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22
Relating to a diverse community; condemning a recent racially
motivated attack; and requesting the Municipality of Anchorage
police department to conduct a conclusive investigation and to
take rapid action against the perpetrators.
- MOVED CSHJR 22(RLS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HJR 22
SHORT TITLE:DIVERSE COMMUNITY/CONDEMN HATE CRIMES
SPONSOR(S): RLS BY REQUEST OF HOUSE
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
03/16/01 0626 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME -
REFERRALS
03/16/01 0626 (H) RLS
03/20/01 (H) RLS AT 5:00 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/20/01 (H) <Recessed to a call of the
chair>
03/20/01 (H) MINUTE(RLS)
03/21/01 (H) RLS AT 4:30 PM Speaker's
Chamber
WITNESS REGISTER
GEORGE IRVIN, Vice President
Alaska Federation of Natives
(No address provided.)
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported CSHJR 22(RLS).
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 01-4, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIR PETE KOTT reconvened the House Rules Standing Committee
meeting to order at 4:36 p.m. Representatives Kott, Porter,
Kohring, and Joule were present. [This is a continuation of the
meeting held on March 20, 2001, at 5:05 p.m.]
HJR 22-DIVERSE COMMUNITY/CONDEMN HATE CRIMES
CHAIR KOTT announced that the committee would continue to hear
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22, Relating to a diverse community;
condemning a recent racially motivated attack; and requesting
the Municipality of Anchorage police department to conduct a
conclusive investigation and to take rapid action against the
perpetrators.
GEORGE IRVIN, Vice President, Alaska Federation of Natives
(AFN), said that AFN likes the proposed amendments encompassed
in the committee substitute (CS), version LS0742\O, Luckhaupt,
3/21/01, because it strengthens the resolution. He clarified,
"It strengthens the joint resolution not only in terms of simply
language and force, but in terms of a concern expressed by the
state legislature, the House of Representatives, for what has
gone on and specific steps that ought to be taken in order to
remedy it." Mr. Irvin referred to page 1, line 13, which places
responsibility on Anchorage to assume a leadership role in
building a climate of tolerance, et cetera. Furthermore, he
said, "I liked very much the fact that the nature of the problem
of racism in Alaska and particularly anti-Native racism has ...
not been shirked by this resolution. The overall resolution
encourages me. That the state legislature is taking its
responsibility because it's not mincing words here .... It
really does express a legitimate and sincere concern."
MR. IRVIN emphasized that he was pleased with the language that
joins the legislature with AFN in the request to the United
States Civil Rights Commission to really review the question of
race relations in Alaska. That review is something that has
been wanted by Native groups as well as other minority groups,
although it hasn't been if the forefront of the minds of non-
Native urban majority. Mr. Irvin indicated that many of the
citizens of Alaska are shocked by such an incident, although
those that are black, Native, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic may
not be surprised. He said, "This is something that Native
people live with on a daily basis. Sometimes it's very
dangerous and destructive .... The fact is that there is an
undercurrent of racial animosity, misunderstandings, and
ignorance that runs through a lot of Alaska. It has been driven
below the surface by political correctness in the last 30 years
or so, but it's right there." Mr. Irvin was encouraged by the
language [in the CS], which seems to take this serious.
Furthermore, the language illustrates that [the state] is not
afraid for someone to come in and review this problem. In
conclusion, Mr. Irvin encouraged the adoption of the amendments
encompassed in the CS.
CHAIR KOTT asked if Mr. Irvin had viewed the video recording.
MR. IRVIN answered that he had viewed the entire video
recording. He said, "When you see the real tape, the raw
footage with all of its vulgarity and obscenity, it'll knock you
back. It's really quite something, not only in terms of the
violence against people but the attitude. Above all that, the
language is really something."
CHAIR KOTT related his belief that the presentation of the video
recording went a long way to educate the public of this major
issue.
MR. IRVIN agreed.
REPRESENTATIVE PORTER moved to adopt CSHJR 22, version O, as the
working document before the committee. There being no
objection, CSHJR 22, version O, was before the committee.
CHAIR KOTT noted that the committee members should have a copy
of the CS with the new language highlighted.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE moved to report CSHJR 22, version LS0742\O,
Luckhaupt, 3/21/01, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There
being no objection, CSHJR 22(RLS) was reported from the House
Rules Standing Committee.
CHAIR KOTT announced that CSHJR 22(RLS) will be on tomorrow's
calendar.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE thanked Speaker Porter and the committee
for indulging him with the amendments. He also thanked AFN for
being available.
CHAIR KOTT thanked Mr. Irvin for his comments. He emphasized
the importance of this issue and bringing AFN "into the fold" in
order to hear their views.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Rules Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
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