SB 40-BLACK HISTORY MONTH  2:24:57 PM CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 40, "An Act establishing the month of February as Black History Month." 2:25:21 PM SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, sponsor of SB 40, introduced the legislation stating the following: Alaska continues to face monumental challenges. We all recognize that and there are more important issues this legislature has been working through this session. But, at the same time we can't forget matters that recognize our citizens within the many diverse communities that exist throughout our state. Anchorage happens to be one of the most diverse communities in the nation. When I was growing up in New Jersey, Black history was not taught in schools. Fortunately, it is now and our children are discovering that many household and other items were invented by a Black person. For example, Sarah Boone - ironing board, Richard Spikes - automatic gear shift, George T Sampson - clothes drier, Alexander Miles - automatic elevator doors, Alice Parker - gas heating furnace, Dr. George Grant - golf tee, Philip Downing - mailbox, Washington Martin - modern toilet, Otis Boykin - pacemaker, George Crumb - potato chips, Garrett Morgan - traffic light. In January we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of service. Dr. King was my personal hero and he paved the way for me to be here today, serving in the Alaska State Senate. There are also many other African American leaders that continue to shape this nation and Alaska. One of those leaders was the late Senator Bettye Davis. She devoted her life to helping the poor and the disenfranchised. She was a staunch public health advocate while also doing everything in her power to develop a strong public education system where everyone, no matter your background, would have an opportunity to succeed. She was awesome and she was someone we all knew and respected. For me to follow in the legacy of the late Senator Bettye Davis, the first African American woman to serve in the Senate, it is truly an honor. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, please join me in recognizing the many accomplishments of African Americans throughout Alaska by enshrining in statute, Black History Month. 2:27:44 PM JAYDEN HODGSON, Intern, Senator Grey-Jackson, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, stated that Black History Month is currently recognized by resolution, not state statute. SB 40 would change that. Nationally, February has been celebrated as Black History Month since 1976. He noted the zero fiscal note. 2:28:55 PM SENATOR COGHILL asked the sponsor if she sees any value in continuing to introduce a resolution every year to keep more attention on the topic. He warned that once this is in statute it might be largely forgotten. MS. GREY-JACKSON replied she brought a resolution forward for Black History Month each of the nine years she was on the Anchorage Assembly and she decided that if she ever became a legislator, she would introduce a bill to place it in state statute. She noted that in Anchorage there is a full month of activities that recognize Black History Month and she can guarantee the month will be similarly recognized if this becomes statute. SENATOR COGHILL commented that your tenacity will probably prevail. 2:30:47 PM SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if the month is recognized nationally as African American Heritage Month or Black History Month. MR. HODGSON related his understanding that the annual observance is called Black History Month. CHAIR SHOWER said he does not oppose the bill but he's always cautious about anything that could serve to divide people. But celebrating the history of what a culture has brought to the overall culture is a different matter. He related that he looks at everyone as American first and everything else is just a qualifier. SENATOR GREY-JACKSON said she agrees but the fact is that everyone has not always been the same. CHAIR SHOWER said he understands racism and he realizes that it exists worldwide, but he is cognizant of trying to keep the nation united. 2:33:58 PM CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on SB 40. 2:34:13 PM CELESTE HODGE GROUWDEN, representing self, Anchorage, stated that she has served as the president of NAACP for about a decade and most recently as the president of the Shiloh Community Development Inc. (SCDI). It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers youth, minorities, and the disadvantaged to improve lives. Their goal is to enhance the quality of life of the less fortunate by providing transitional assistance, economic and educational opportunities, job search support, health education, prevention and wellness programs, and youth mentorships. The major emphasis of SCDI is to develop programs for this population. She highlighted that in February in celebration of Black History Month. Through community support they raised enough money to pay for the day-long program. SCDI also received a $10,000 grant to support their media justice project that is designed to communicate throughout the state the contributions of local African Americans. She emphasized that the vignettes aired statewide throughout the month of February and provided learning experiences about the accomplishments of 10 African American individuals, including the late Senator Bettye Davis. She urged the passage of SB 40. CHAIR SHOWER related the conversations he had with several of the Tuskegee airmen and commented on the divides some people have had to overcome. 2:38:29 PM CHAIR SHOWER found no one else who wished to comment and closed public testimony on SB 40. 2:38:40 PM At ease 2:38:54 PM CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting. Finding no further questions or discussion, he asked the will of the committee. 2:39:01 PM SENATOR COGHILL moved to report SB 40, version A, from committee with individual recommendations and no fiscal note. 2:39:25 PM At ease 2:39:46 PM CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and asked Senator Coghill to restate the motion acknowledging the fiscal note. SENATOR COGHILL moved to report SB 40, version A, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). CHAIR SHOWER stated that without objection, SB 40 passed from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.