Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/27/1999 05:05 PM House WTR
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WORLD TRADE
AND STATE/FEDERAL RELATIONS
April 27, 1999
5:05 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Ramona Barnes, Chair
Representative John Cowdery, Vice Chair
Representative Beverly Masek
Representative Gail Phillips
Representative Joe Green
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Ethan Berkowitz
Representative Reggie Joule
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
*SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14
Relating to the National Museum of Women's History and the
National Museum of Women's History Alaska Council.
- MOVED SSHJR 14 OUT OF COMMITTEE
(* First public hearing)
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HJR 14
SHORT TITLE: NATIONAL MUSEUM WOMEN'S HISTORY AK COUNCIL
BILL VERSION: SSHJR 14
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVES(S) PHILLIPS, Murkowski
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
2/10/99 184 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
2/10/99 184 (H) WTR, STA
4/07/99 669 (H) SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED
4/07/99 669 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
4/07/99 670 (H) WTR, STA
4/16/99 851 (H) COSPONSOR(S): MURKOWSKI
4/27/99 Text (H) WTR AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 124
WITNESS REGISTER
KAREN STASER, President
National Museum of Women's History
303 West Glendale Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia 22301
Telephone: (703) 299-0552
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SSHJR 14.
KATELYN MARKLEY, Founder
Alaska Council of the National Museum of Women's History
7243 Hunter Circle
Anchorage, Alaska 99502
Telephone: (907) 245-2252
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SSHJR 14.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 99-15, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIR RAMONA BARNES called the House Special Committee on World
Trade and State/Federal Relations meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
Members present at the call to order were Representatives Barnes,
Masek, Phillips, and Green. Representative Cowdery arrived at 5:07
p.m. Representatives Berkowitz and Joule were absent.
HJR 14-NATIONAL MUSEUM WOMEN'S HISTORY AK COUNCIL
CHAIR BARNES announced that the first item of business would be
Sponsor Substitute for House Joint Resolution No. 14, Relating to
the National Museum of Women's History and the National Museum of
Women's History Alaska Council.
Number 0122
KAREN STASER, President, National Museum of Women's History [NMWH],
testified via teleconference from Washington, D.C. She stated that
she would like to discuss the federal perspective. She indicated
that Katelyn Markley would discuss why the National Museum of
Women's History is so important to women. Ms. Staser said,
Here in Washington [District of Columbia], there is an
increasing awareness of the role women are playing and
will play in the upcoming presidential election. Issues
involving women will be brought into sharp focus over the
next two years. The museum has been overwhelmingly
embraced by women throughout the country who are hungry
to see their past and their experiences reflected with
respect. In response, to date, the museum has created
state councils in Alaska, Phoenix, Los Angeles, New York
City, Washington D.C., Texas and North Carolina. And you
can be sure that women will look favorably upon those
leaders who support the National Museum of Women's
History.
Number 0248
To put into perspective why women are so committed to
NMWH, let me emphasize that there is a huge historical
void concerning women. As Katelyn will discuss, did you
know that still less than two percent of modern history
texts cover the contributions and experiences of women?
Or that less than five percent of our national historic
sites interpret women's roles? Or that in the U.S.
capital, of the 451 works of art honoring individuals,
only 12 depict women? And that is why the National
Museum of Women's History is so important. Our mission
is to fill this historical void by preserving and
celebrating the unique contributions and experiences of
women and to restore this heritage to mainstream culture.
NMWH has put together a powerful team. We enjoy the
support of 44 members of Congress and over 200 prominent
citizens nationwide. From Al Newhart, for example, the
founder of USA Today, and Gloria Steinhem (ph) to
renowned historian Doris Kerns-Goodwin (ph) and Steve
Forbes, who, incidentally, asked me to introduce him at
the Forbes Executive Women's Summit this year, and,
furthermore, Forbes Magazine will feature a 16-page
section on the museum in next month's issue, which we're
very proud that Alaskan businesswoman, Eleanor Andrews
(ph), will be highlighted.
The last point I'd like to make is that the museum is
privately funded. What we're asking of the federal
government is an arrangement similar to that that they
have provided the National Building Museum and Ford
Theater, and that is the long-term loan of federal land,
preferably on the mall. The federal government will
provide the site while operating costs will be privately
funded. I urge you to pass this resolution in support of
the National Museum of Women's History and continue in
the tradition of Alaska, the pioneer state. In doing so,
you will take the lead and make history by becoming the
first state legislature to formally endorse this
important institution.
Number 0465
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS asked for clarification on the location of
the museum.
MS. STASER replied that a federal site has been requested in
Washington, D.C. She said they are interested in a site as close
to the capitol mall as possible. She indicated that there has been
discussion with the Alaska delegation about a possible site; a
federal building called the Sidney R. Yates (ph) Federal Building.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS referred to the United States Capitol
Rotunda, in which there are statues of historical figures who
helped shape America, and asked if the statue of Lucretia Mott,
Elizabeth Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony would be moved into the new
building.
MS. STASER indicated that that is a decision that would be made by
Congress. She stated that the original legislation called for the
statue to be in the rotunda for one year. However, the statue
remains there, and there has been no indication that it would be
moved. She said this statue or another statue honoring these three
American leaders does deserve to be in the rotunda.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS stated that Senator Ted Stevens was very
anxious to get the statue moved to the rotunda.
MS. STASER agreed and stated that it was Senator Stevens who
introduced the legislation and spear-headed the whole initiative to
move these leaders to the rotunda. She said without him it would
not have happened.
Number 0662
KATELYN MARKLEY, Founder, Alaska Council of the National Museum of
Women's History, testified via teleconference from Anchorage. She
read the following testimony:
I am delighted to be hear today to testify on a project
I am personally committed to. The project will add
important facts to the history of this nation,
acknowledge women for their many achievements and help
young women realize that they can be whatever they dream
of being. This project is the National Museum of Women's
History. In the story of American success, the chapter
on women's contribution was largely cut from an early
draft. Women and their accomplishments as mothers,
political leaders, teachers, astronauts, inventors and so
on, have been left out of our history books.
As an example, prior to becoming involved in the National
Museum of Women's History, if I was asked, "Who was the
first member of the territorial legislature of Alaska?",
I would not have known, but now I know that it was
Representative Nell Scott (ph), a Democrat from Seldovia.
At school, studying the history of the United States, I
learned of the struggle to settle the western frontier,
and later of the discovery of gold in Alaska, a struggle
that matched man against his environment. I learned that
with courage and rugged individualism man won the West.
Similarly, I learned in Alaska history, that cheechakos
came to Alaska, during the rugged Chilkoot Trail, making
their way north to pan for gold in the great land. All
these facts are part of the amazing history of the United
States and of Alaska, but there are important facts
missing. The truth is that families conquered the West.
Without all family members working together, the settling
of the frontier would have been impossible.
Number 0794
When history tells us about the enormous human cost for
this epic adventure, we should remember that women and
children bore more than their share of those costs of
work, disease and death. Not only did women do their
daily chores and keep their families together, but they
worked alongside the men, and, without question, women
are civilizers. On the western frontier, they were
expected to bring civilization and culture to soften the
harshness of the frontier male society. Women lived up
to those expectations. In town after town, women moved
in and saw to the building of churches and schools, and
probably brought law and order with them, in addition to
being mothers, businesswomen and political leaders.
Historians overlook these facts in history.
Number 0839
I grew up in what I thought was a fairly progressive
family in Southeast Alaska. My parents both owned their
own businesses and they encouraged their five children to
study and work hard. Each of us went on to get college
degrees in education, business and in the medical field.
We were also told that my brother would inherit the
family seafood business. You see, it was a man's world
and only men could do certain things. The four girls in
the family were told to marry well. Most of you know my
husband, Larry Markley. I think I respected my dad's
wishes. All kidding aside, in part because of my lack of
knowledge and (indisc.) of past accomplishments of women,
I did not develop a personal and collected sense of
confidence and potential, and I truly limited myself in
what I thought I could do. HJR 14 supports legislation
that was introduced in Congress to create an advisory
committee that will identify a site for the National
Museum of Women's History in Washington [D.C.], develop
a business plan for the museum using solely private
contributions and assist with a collection and program
for the museum. HJR 14 also encourages Alaska
congressional delegation to help assign an existing
building on the mall for this effort.
Number 0933
The concept for the National Museum of Women's History
began in Alaska many years ago by Karen Staser and became
a dream in 1996, when Karen and her husband, Jeff, moved
to Washington, D.C. where Jeff took a job with Senator
Stevens. Since that time, the board of directors, led by
Karen, has worked tirelessly to build support and
interest for this project, raising more than $10.5
dollars. Perhaps we should get her to help out with
Alaska's budget situation. Lending their support to
moving the suffragette statue from the crypt of the
rotunda, which Representative Phillips spoke of, and they
actually raised $85,000 for this effort.
Number 0968
Now, you might ask, "Why do we need a women's museum when
we have the Smithsonian?". Edith Mayo, a curator with
the Smithsonian, an active member of the National Museum
of Women's History, can answer this question. Since
1963, only two exhibits, just two, were dedicated to the
role of women in history. I do find it interesting to
see the fancy dresses that the first ladies of the United
States wore to the inaugural balls, but many other
important accomplishments of women are not showcased,
and, in essence, have been deleted from history. They
deserve to be in a museum. Whatever period of history
you choose, women played a role. Sybil Lunington (ph),
a 16-year old, rode through parts of New York and
Connecticut in April of 1777 to warn that the Red Coats
were coming. Sacajawea, the Shoshone Indian guide,
helped escort Lewis and Clark on their 8,000 mile
expedition. Rosa Park, Joanne Robinson (ph) and many
others played important roles in the civil rights
movement of the 50's and 60's. And as we move into the
21st century, the role of women, who now make up 52
percent of the population, will continue to be integral
in the future success of this country. I urge you to
pass this resolution and I thank you very much for
hearing our testimony.
Number 1063
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS wondered, since Alaska is going to be the
first state to consider this, if other states were going to look at
this also.
MS. MARKLEY indicated that she has only been involved on the Alaska
side of the issue and thought that Ms. Staser could answer the
question.
MS. STASER stated that all the states she mentioned previously are
critically involved in the development of the museum, but we enjoy,
as Alaskans, the enviable position of having congressional members
chairing the three important committees that will make the decision
on Alaska's side. Alaska has been the first state and the most
important state in this process.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS asked Ms. Markley how many members are in
the Alaska Council of National Museum of Women's History, and she
wondered how to join.
MS. MARKLEY replied that she would send information. She indicated
that the council is in the formation stage right. She said there
are approximately ten people that have been actively working with
her. Groups, such as the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Athena
Group, are interested in making the National Museum of Women's
History a project that they will focus on.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS wondered if it would be possible for Alaska
to have somebody involved in the advisory committee as far as the
selection of the location.
Number 1195
MS. STASER said she would welcome that. She stated that the museum
has control over at least nine of the twenty-one positions on the
commission.
REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIPS asked if a synopsis of the Forbes article
on Eleanor Andrews (ph) could be sent.
MS. STASER said she would and stated that the article will be
coming out the second week in May.
CHAIR BARNES asked Ms. Markley if she could send, prior to the
release of the magazine article, a brief piece on what she knows
about Eleanor Andrews (ph).
MS. MARKLEY said she would.
Number 1275
CHAIR BARNES called an at-ease at 5:24 p.m. She called the meeting
back to order at 5:25 p.m.
Number 1367
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN made a motion to move SSHJR 14 from the
committee. There being no objection, SSHJR 14 moved out of the
House Special Committee on World Trade and State/Federal Relations.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 1367
CHAIR BARNES adjourned the House Special Committee on World Trade
and State/Federal Relations meeting at 5:25 p.m.
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