2002-02-15                     House Journal                      Page 2279
HJR 41                                                                                            
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 41 by the House Rules                                                    
Committee by request of the Governor:                                                               
                                                                                                    
     Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of                                     
     Alaska relating to providing for priorities for and among                                      
     subsistence uses in the allocation of fish, wildlife, and other                                
     renewable resources.                                                                           
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Resources, Judiciary, and                               
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    

2002-02-15                     House Journal                      Page 2280
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Office of the Governor                                                                  
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 14, 2002, appears                                  
below:                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Today I am introducing an innovative approach to resolving an issue                                 
that has haunted Alaskans for more than a decade -- the permanent                                   
protection of subsistence.  Probably more than any single issue, our                                
failure to resolve subsistence has contributed to the growing divide                                
between urban and rural Alaskans.  This approach protects the                                       
importance of subsistence for rural Alaskans first, and then recognizes                             
the needs of those urban residents who have a customary and                                         
traditional use of fish and game resources.  It is a fresh and widely                               
supported starting point for achieving a permanent resolution to                                    
subsistence.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
This proposal is built on the hard work of many Alaskans.  Last                                     
August, I convened 42 prominent Alaskans from all walks of life --                                  
business, civic, religious, Native -- in the Subsistence Leadership                                 
Summit.  By demonstrating an overwhelming sense of unity and a new                                  
level of understanding, respect, and agreement, they re-ignited the                                 
hope of bringing Alaskans together.  The Summit made a major                                        
contribution to helping find a solution to the long-standing subsistence                            
dilemma.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
To build on the work of that summit, I then asked 11 Alaskans -- most                               
of them members of the Summit -- to craft a potential subsistence                                   
amendment to the Alaska Constitution.  That group succeeded in                                      
writing the constitutional amendment that I am offering today in this                               
resolution.  It will protect the lifeblood that subsistence is to the                               
cultural, spiritual, economic and physical well being of rural Alaskans.                            
                                                                                                    
I am asking that we place this constitutional amendment before the                                  
public for a vote, allowing Alaskans to take a major step toward                                    
bridging the divide that has separated our urban and rural residents.                               
                                                                                                    

2002-02-15                     House Journal                      Page 2281
We have debated and struggled with the subsistence issue for far too                                
many years.  We must finally act to protect the subsistence way of life                             
and regain state management of all fish and wildlife uses throughout                                
Alaska.  Alaskans have the right to vote on this constitutional                                     
amendment, and the need for the chance to do so.  I encourage your                                  
prompt action on this resolution.                                                                   
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely,                                                         
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Tony Knowles                                                        
                                 Governor"