00 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9                                                                                     
01 Relating to Take a Kid Hunting Weekend.                                                                                 
02 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                              
03  WHEREAS many of our young people today lack the opportunity to go hunting; and                                       
04  WHEREAS the age of the average hunter continues to rise, and we are experiencing                                     
05 poor recruitment of young people into our hunting community; and                                                        
06  WHEREAS many of our young people lack an understanding of the importance of                                          
07 hunting in wildlife conservation; and                                                                                   
08  WHEREAS we have an obligation to teach our young people about our hunting                                            
09 heritage; and                                                                                                           
10  WHEREAS many of our young people are receiving very negative messages about                                          
11 the perceived evils of hunting and the dangers of using weapons; and                                                    
12  WHEREAS our young people need to be taught about gun safety, hunting skills, and                                     
13 hunting ethics; and                                                                                                     
14  WHEREAS our young people need to have opportunities to hunt under the guidance                                       
01 and supervision of an experienced adult; and                                                                            
02  WHEREAS experienced hunters need the opportunity to pass along revered traditions                                    
03 and respect for the resources to future generations;                                                                    
04  BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the                                           
05 Governor to proclaim the second weekend of September as Take a Kid Hunting Weekend; and                                 
06 be it                                                                                                                   
07  FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges schools, community                                          
08 groups, and other public and private agencies and individuals to encourage the observation of                           
09 Take a Kid Hunting Weekend with appropriate activities that ensure the continuation of                                  
10 hunting.                                                                                                                
11  COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to Laura Jane Wineinger, Alaska Field                                        
12 Representative, National Rifle Association; Tom Elias, Regional Vice President, Safari Club                             
13 International; and Rod Arno, President, Alaska Outdoor Council.