HR 6-NAT'L. NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS MEMORIAL  8:03:38 AM CHAIR ZULKOSKY announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.6, Expressing support and appreciation for the National Native American Veterans Memorial. 8:04:15 AM ELIZABETH FERGUSON, Staff, Representative John Lincoln, Alaska State Legislature, said HR 6 expresses gratitude for and acknowledges the National Native American Veterans Memorial, titled "Warriors' Circle of Honor," to be constructed in Washington, D.C., at the National Museum of the American Indian. She said the memorial will honor Native American veterans who have "historically served in greater percentages than any other ethnicity in every major war since the Revolutionary War." Ms. Ferguson stated that the memorial would offer opportunities for museum visitors and the general public to learn more about Native American veterans and the distinguished honors received by them. She opined that this is a topic not adequately taught or generally understood. She said the memorial would also "battle misperceptions" about the conflicts between being a proud Native American and a proud citizen of the United States of America. She spoke about the commitment made by Native American veterans to protect the United States of America and of their deep-seated patriotism. 8:06:51 AM REPRESENTATIVE KOPP thanked Ms. Ferguson for presenting HR 6 and commended Representative Lincoln for sponsoring the resolution. He recognized that the drafting of HR 6 tells the story of the proud history of Native American military service. He shared that he is glad to see such history recognized and honored. 8:07:27 AM CHAIR ZULKOSKY opened invited testimony on HR 6. 8:07:49 AM COLONEL WAYNE DON, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Alaska Army National Guard, stated that he is member of of the National Native American Veterans Memorial." He commended Representative Lincoln for sponsoring HR 6. He identified himself as a 25-year veteran of the United States Army and the Alaska Army National Guard. He said he has been deployed three times and served in both Bosnia and Afghanistan. He stated that he supports HR 6 not just because of his affiliation with the armed forces, but because many members of his family have also served in the armed forces, from World War II to present. He said he is proud to be part of the National Native American Veterans Memorial project because it recognizes the contributions of all Native Americans from the American Revolutionary War to the Global War on Terrorism. COLONEL DON explained that the United States Congress authorized the National Museum of the American Indian to create a monument on its grounds to allow Americans to recognize and learn about "the courageous traditions" of Native Americans in the United States armed forces. He said the museum's board of trustees created an advisory committee of Native American veterans to provide insight about military service. He stated that the board is co-chaired by former United States Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Jefferson Keel. He said the board is composed of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian veterans and family members from across the country. 8:10:04 AM COLONEL DON said the museum held consultations across the country to gather feedback from Native American veterans, tribal leaders, and community members to guide the direction of the project and the design of the memorial. He discussed the design competition and the selection of a design submitted by Harvey Pratt, an artist from the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes who is a United States Marine Corps veteran and recognized as a Cheyenne Peace Chief. Colonel Don described Mr. Pratt's design for the memorial and said it would be located on the northeast corner of the museum grounds. He discussed fundraising and outreach efforts undertaken by the museum and the advisory board. He noted that the United States Congress included in its authorization the caveat that no federal funds be used to construct the memorial. He reported that the museum has raised $7.8 million from pledges across the country. He noted that there has been considerable support from Indian Country and private industry. He said the goal is to continue raising funds for a groundbreaking in fall 2019 and an unveiling currently scheduled for Veteran's Day in 2020. He stated that the memorial has received widespread support and financial pledges from the following Alaska Native corporations: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC); Calista Corporation; Doyon, Limited; Bristol Bay Native Corporation; Sealaska Corporation; Chugach Alaska Corporation; Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI); and Afognak Native Corporation. COLONEL DON summarized the project timeline. He said the total budget for the project, including outreach and construction, is $15 million. He said the goal for the September 2019 groundbreaking is $8 million; he added that this goal is nearly met. He shared his excitement for the project and his surprise at the support from across the country. 8:14:24 AM REPRESENTATIVE KOPP thanked Colonel Don for his testimony and asked him if he feels a house resolution from the Alaska State Legislature would help with fundraising efforts. COLONEL DON answered "absolutely." He opined that a resolution in support of the memorial would help with fundraising efforts. 8:14:53 AM CHAIR ZULKOSKY thanked Colonel Don for his service and his testimony. CHAIR ZULKOSKY opened public testimony on HR 6. 8:15:27 AM The committee took a brief at-ease at 8:15 a.m. 8:15:55 AM JOE WILLIAMS, Grand President, Alaska Native Brotherhood, stated that he is testifying in support of HR 6. He thanked Representative Lincoln for creating an opportunity to honor "our veterans." He opined that it is something that is desperately needed and is very honorable to be done. 8:16:32 AM PAULETTE MORENO, Grand President, Alaska Native Sisterhood, expressed her strong support for HR 6. She said many Alaska Native and American Indian veterans have defended their ancestral homelands. She said a structural memorial is "more than just physical," but a spiritual recognition of "our Native people and the land that we have occupied and continue to occupy along with the peoples of today." She relayed that members of her family, including three uncles and some cousins, served in the United States armed forces. She discussed the dignity and importance of paying tribute to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian service. She continued: "Not only have we, for time immemorial, defended our people, our rights, our way of life, and our land, but we have defended this country." She said the Alaska Native Sisterhood (ANS) and the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) recognizes the significance of honoring Native veterans in a profound and beautiful way. 8:18:31 AM CHAIR ZULKOSKY thanked Mr. Williams and Ms. Moreno for their testimony. 8:18:55 AM IVAN M. IVAN said he is visiting Juneau as part of a fly-in with the Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB). He discussed efforts to secure education funding. He noted that he was a member of the Alaska House of Representatives during the 1990s. Mr. Ivan expressed his appreciation for the establishment of the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs, which he described as an important committee and very positive step forward for the State of Alaska." He said the committee is important to Alaska Natives. He discussed the acceptance and recognition of Native languages, something he said has allowed Native children and villages a line of communication to the legislature. MR. IVAN expressed his appreciation for HR 6 and the National Native American Veterans Memorial. He shared that he served in the Alaska Army National Guard. He mused on the tradition of Alaska Natives from across the state answering the call of duty to serve the country. He said Alaska Native servicemembers were called "the eyes and ears" because of their contributions to intelligence-gathering. He noted that there is a small memorial in Bethel dedicated to members of the Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG), but stated he has not seen a memorial recognizing Alaska Natives for their service. He expressed hope that children can learn about the history of their parents defending the nation. He expressed that he would like to see those people recognized for their participation. MR. IVAN relayed his support for the resolution and shared his desire to contribute as much as he can. He expressed how proud is he is as a former state legislator to be before the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs. 8:26:41 AM CHAIR ZULKOSKY, after ascertaining that no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HR 6. CHAIR ZULKOSKY announced that HR 6 would be held for further review.