2000-02-07                     House Journal                      Page 2123
HB 353                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 353 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act relating to heirloom certificates of marriage."                       
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social         
Services and Finance Committees.                                               
                                                                               
The following fiscal note applies:                                             
                                                                               
Fiscal note, Dept. of Health & Social Services, 2/7/00                         
                                                                               
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 4, 2000, appears              
below:                                                                         

2000-02-07                     House Journal                      Page 2124
HB 353                                                                       
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
One of the efforts in which the Administration and the Legislature can         
take great pride is the revitalization of the Alaska Children's Trust.         
Alaskans have responded with overwhelming support to help build the            
principal of the trust to more than $9 million.  Proceeds from the trust       
provide grants to communities and agencies statewide to prevent child          
abuse and neglect and create healthier lives for children.                     
                                                                               
One fundraising effort for the trust is the sale of heirloom birth             
certificates.  The sales raised more than $50,000 for the Children's           
Trust last year and is the most successful fundraising program of its          
type nationwide.                                                               
                                                                               
This bill I transmit today expands the birth certificate program by            
establishing  an  heirloom  marriage  certificate  suitable  for  display.     
Hopefully $25 from the sale proceeds for each certificate would be             
appropriated by the legislature to the Alaska Children's Trust.  This          
program offers an excellent and appealing way to continue the                  
worthwhile work of the Children's Trust.                                       
                                                                               
I urge your favorable consideration of this bill.                              
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"