Legislature(2021 - 2022)ADAMS 519
05/03/2021 01:30 PM House FINANCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB34 | |
| HB151 | |
| HB19 | |
| HB157 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 34 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 157 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 182 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 151 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 34
"An Act naming the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Memorial
Bridge."
1:35:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LADDIE SHAW, SPONSOR, thanked the committee
for hearing the bill. He shared that the topic was close to
his heart as he had served two tours in Vietnam. He relayed
that as a certified helicopter pilot, he was honored to be
invited to be part of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots
Association. He noted that the idea for the legislation had
originated with Representative Cathy Tilton, who had
graciously offered to have him carry it. He acknowledged
the work done on the bill by Representative Tilton's staff.
He read from prepared remarks:
The photo that I'm passing around was taken September
20, 1970, nearly 51 years ago. I talked about these
helicopters being a lifeline to my generation. That
helicopter is hovering, it had no place to land,
typical of the delta and the jungle of Vietnam. That
day I lost two of my teammates. That helicopter is
medevacing three of my fellow teammates that were
wounded. Truly a lifeline. In salute to those helo
drivers, I would like to make note of a communication
between Ghost Rider 172 and Ghost Rider 174:
Red Hat 6, this is Ghost Rider 172. I'm sorry I
won't be there to assist you any more today, my
helicopter has been shot and I personally have
been gut shot. I have to leave you now. Hang on,
good luck.
The radio transmission from the 189th assault
helicopter company pilot to an Army captain and his
unit fighting the 66th North Vietnamese Regiment, 27
February 1968.
Ghost Rider 172 was hit 20 times in a heavily armed
area deep in enemy territory. The aircraft made a
forced landing causing moderate damage to the aircraft
and to crew members. Ghost Rider 174 had an engine
failure and crashed eight miles south. Ghost Rider 172
was of a total loss, fortunately with negative
injuries to the crew. Over 12,000 U.S. military
helicopters spent 7.5 million hours in Vietnam flying
2 million missions. A total of 5,086 choppers,
literally 42 percent were destroyed by enemy fire.
Vietnam truly was the introduction of the helicopter
operations in wartime.
1:39:22 PM
Representative Shaw continued to review the bill with
prepared remarks:
Many of those helicopters were not only destroyed by
enemy fire, they were also destroyed by bad weather,
mechanical snafus, and other bad hands that war
routinely deals with those who are sent to fight it.
The total among those who flew for a living: 2,000
pilots killed, 2,700 crew chiefs dead. On April 18,
2018, a memorial marker was unveiled at Arlington
National Cemetery just outside of Washington, D.C. to
honor the young men who gave their lives flying and
maintaining the helicopters flown in Vietnam; it was
an event three years in the making. I was 22 years old
in that picture.
This monument is 22 inches high, 21 inches deep, and
32 inches wide. It was placed in Section 35 along
Memorial Drive, not far from the tomb of the Unknown
Soldier. As a Vietnam veteran, I want to express my
gratitude to the members of the Vietnam Helicopter
Pilots Association for their leadership on this issue.
For so many reasons, we need to remember the courage
and the selflessness of our comrades who paid the
ultimate price in service to our country, and I hope
we won't take three years to provide this small honor.
1:41:51 PM
JOSH WALTON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE LADDIE SHAW, explained
the bill. The bill would rename bridges 1124 and 1889 that
span the Matanuska River heading northbound and southbound
at mile 30.4 of the Glenn Highway as the Vietnam Helicopter
Pilots Memorial Bridge. He referenced photos of the bridge
in members' packets. Members' packets also included
background on the roles that helicopters and helicopter
pilots played in the Vietnam conflict. He shared that it
was the first war to use helicopters in a significant way.
He noted their effectiveness had been proven in the
conflict. He elaborated that the packets contained an
academic article and contemporary articles highlighting the
heroism of the Vietnam helicopter pilots and some of the
challenges they had faced in being recognized post-
conflict. He relayed that the bill had the support of Lynn
Kile, President of the Alaska chapter of the Vietnam
Helicopter Pilots Association. He added that the sponsor
had received a letter from the Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs Commissioner Torrence Saxe, offering his
department's support for the legislation (also included in
members' packets). He thanked the committee for its time.
Co-Chair Merrick acknowledged the many courageous things
Representative Shaw had done in his lifetime. She thanked
him for sharing his personal story.
1:44:18 PM
Representative Thompson thanked Representative Shaw for his
service.
LYNN KILE, PRESIDENT, VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
- ALASKA CHAPTER, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), shared
that he is a Vietnam veteran. He shared that the
organization in Alaska had about 85 pilots and crew
members. He noted that according to the national database,
there were likely 300 more pilots and crew members in
Alaska that had not yet been reached. He thanked the
committee for taking up the historical and memorial
opportunity. He thanked Representative Shaw and noted that
his story was one of many. He stated that it had been a
difficult time and the bill was a small token of
recognition. He relayed that he had listened to various
committee hearings on the bill in the past several years
and he had been overwhelmed by the positive response and
touching comments.
Mr. Kile highlighted that Alaska is an aviation state with
a large military population. He elaborated that many of the
returning helicopter pilots and crew members from Vietnam
were instrumental in all aspects of building, maintaining,
and implementing the state's aviation, transportation, and
logistics infrastructure. He stated that the individuals
had learned a valuable skill in the jungles of Vietnam and
had brought the training home to Alaska. He highlighted
that from logistics to medical evacuations, the bill was an
opportunity to complete the honor, which other committees
had already seen to be a worthy cause. He emphasized that a
sign on a heavily traveled route in view of the Gold Star
Peak would show a small token of thanks to individuals who
were instrumental in building Alaska and to memorialize
others who did not return. He noted that Vietnam veterans
did not receive a very honorable return. He relayed it was
an opportunity to honor their contribution and sacrifice to
the country and Alaska. He underscored that the honor was
worthy of the individuals' legacy and a historical reminder
of the dedication of the landmark on the Matanuska bridge
in their honor. He thanked the committee for the
opportunity to speak.
Co-Chair Merrick thanked Mr. Kile for his service to the
country.
Co-Chair Merrick OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.
1:47:58 PM
AT EASE
1:49:24 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Merrick thanked Representative Johnson for passing
out co-sponsor sheets to members.
HB 34 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
[Note: HB 34 was taken up again at 1:54 p.m. and reported
from committee. See below for detail.]
1:49:46 PM
AT EASE
1:51:51 PM
RECONVENED
Representative Carpenter requested to take up HB 34 again
and report it from committee.
1:52:13 PM
AT EASE
1:54:12 PM
RECONVENED
HOUSE BILL NO. 34
"An Act naming the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Memorial
Bridge."
1:54:32 PM
Co-Chair Merrick noted that Representative Rasmussen had
joined the meeting.
Representative Carpenter MOVED to REPORT HB 34 out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HB 34 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with one previously published fiscal
note: FN1 (DOT).
1:54:48 PM
AT EASE
1:56:04 PM
RECONVENED