Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 106
03/24/2015 08:00 AM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB77 | |
| HB142 | |
| HCR7 | |
| HJR14|| HCR4 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 77 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 142 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HCR 7 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HJR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HCR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 142-ESTABLISH ELDERS' DAY
8:44:19 AM
CHAIR LYNN announced that the next order of business was HOUSE
BILL NO. 142, "An Act establishing Elders' Day."
8:44:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE NEIL FOSTER, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, introduced his staff, Ms. Watts, to present HB 142.
8:45:12 AM
ANDREA WATTS, Staff, Representative Neil Foster, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HB 142 on behalf of Representative
Foster, prime sponsor, as follows:
Elders of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds hold a
special place in the hearts of Alaskans. Elders'
knowledge and experiences provide a link from the past
to the present - a link that connects us to our
ancestors. Elders also serve a vital role as teachers
and mentors, guiding younger generations through the
many facets of life. Celebrating and honoring elders
on Winter Solstice - a time of change and optimism -
not only recognizes the value of those that came
before us, but the significant lessons and knowledge
they selflessly leave behind for us to take into the
future.
MS. WATTS offered to answer questions.
CHAIR LYNN asked if, under HB 142, the term "elder" was limited
to Alaska Natives.
MS. WATTS answered that it would include [elders] of all ethnic
and cultural backgrounds.
CHAIR LYNN remarked that elders have a lot to contribute.
8:46:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ said she liked HB 142, but suggested the
word "elder" had a more cultural connotation. She said people
of a certain age were considered "seniors," and she said she
would like "to see this bill encompass that group, too."
CHAIR LYNN echoed that older people who were non-Native were
usually referred to as seniors.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG agreed that the term "elder" was
usually used to recognize a Native Alaskan senior. He opined
that a definition, one way or the other, was necessary to avoid
confusion.
CHAIR LYNN said when he hears the word "elder," he thinks of
"Native Americans of one type or another."
8:48:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER talked about strengthening "some of the
terms that were already out there." For example, he said there
was already an "Older Alaskans' Day." He indicated a
willingness to accept an amendment.
CHAIR LYNN asked for information related to "Older Alaskans'
Day."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked for the citation related to
"Older Alaskans' Day."
8:49:56 AM
MS. WATTS related that in 2006, Senate Bill 224 was introduced
by Senator Gary Stevens to establish the second Wednesday in
September each year as "Older Alaskans Day". She explained that
the sponsor's choice to use the word "elder" was because of its
definition, which denoted a person who was respected in the
community and who had passed on his/her knowledge to other
generations, regardless of ethnicity or cultural identification.
She said the sponsor felt that "elder" reflected "an Alaskan
perspective on an older person." Notwithstanding that, she
echoed the bill sponsor's willingness to modify the language of
the bill for clarification.
CHAIR LYNN indicated he had no objection to the use of the word
"elders".
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER said he liked the word "elder", thought it
was understood and had a unique meaning, and leaned toward
keeping it in the bill.
CHAIR LYNN said he thought of an elder as an older, wise person.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG again requested the citation.
8:52:13 AM
MS. WATTS said it was found in AS 44.12.100, which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Sec. 44.12.100. Older Alaskans' Day.
The second Wednesday of September of each year is
established as Older Alaskans' Day to honor residents
of the state who are 60 years of age or older for the
many contributions made by older Alaskans to the
state. The day may be celebrated by public ceremonies
and by quiet appreciation.
8:52:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER said he thought "elder" had various
connotations. Another use of the word was in reference to
church elders.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked the bill sponsor if it was his
intent to also honor church elders under HB 142.
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER answered, "Our intent is to honor all
elders."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said that added another dimension, and
he asked, "Is there anybody else within the meaning of 'elder'
that you're thinking of including?"
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER answered that his intent was not to
specify what kind of elder, but "to strengthen the celebration
of older Alaskans, older Americans, [and] elders." He said he
thought there were a lot of terms that could explain that, and
he thought it was fitting to add "elders" to the lexicon because
there was already such a heavy use of the word "elder" in
Alaska.
8:55:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO stated his substantial preference for
the term "elder" over "senior." He mentioned Elderhostel groups
in Alaska. He said ["elder"] was a term of respect and, while
"senior" may be commonly used in legal matters, on a personal
basis people tend to use the term "elder" in a fond and
compassionate way.
CHAIR LYNN said he thought of an elder as a respected senior.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said she would echo "that very same
sentiment." She said she liked the definition of an elder as
someone who had passed down his/her knowledge. She agreed with
Representative Talerico regarding the preference of elder over
senior.
8:56:40 AM
ALBERT NINGEULOOK said he was an elder at 69 years of age. He
talked about his background and schooling, including his current
effort to earn a Ph.D. in Political Science. He said he was a
member of the local elders committee in Shishmaref, as well as a
member of the local school's strategic planning committee. He
stated his support of HB 142. He said there were many elders in
Alaska, from different ethnic groups, who had guided him and had
a great impact on the person he had become. He recalled one
elder telling him that opening one's eyes in the morning was
like opening a present on Christmas because each day was a new
gift.
8:59:31 AM
MR. NINGEULOOK recited a poem he wrote in 1986, which read as
follows [handwritten, with original punctuation provided]:
A CHILD'S PLEA
A CHILD WONDERING...
WONDERING
WHERE LOVED ONES HAD GONE
HOW LIFE BEGAN IN CHANGING TIMES
AND HOW LIFE WILL BE IN THE GROWN-UP YEARS
A PRECIOUS CHILD
SO FULL OF LIFE AND JOY
WHOSE SHINING FACE RADIATES HOPE AND LOVE TO ALL
THE WORLD
AND A CHILD WHOSE SOUL IS SO INNOCENTLY PURE
UNBLEMISHED FROM THIS WORLD'S STRIFE AND CARE
A WONDERFUL CHILD
WONDERING
ABOUT SO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
OF THINGS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND
THIS BEAUTIFUL UNREPLACEABLE CHILD
PLEADING FOR HELP
IN THESE CHANGING TIMES
TIMES THAT CREATE CLOUDS OF QUESTIONS AND
WONDERMENT
IN A PRECIOUS CHILD'S MIND, HEART AND SOUL
AND THE PAIN AND WONDERMENT OF NOT FINDING ANSWERS
OR TO FIND A CARING PERSON TO ASK
MAKES A CHILD CREATE LINES OF WONDERMENT
ON A BEAUTIFUL FACE UNMARKED AND UNTOUCHED BY
WORRYING ABOUT LIFE
IT IS THEN THAT CARING PARENTS, RELATIVES AND SENIOR
ELDERS
CAN HELP THE CHILD BY ANSWERING AND SHOWING THE WAY
WITH PATIENT UNDERSTANDING AND LOVING COMPASSION
AND UNCLOUDING THE QUESTIONS AND WONDERMENTS
AWAY
WE ALL CAN HELP TO GUIDE A PRECIOUS CHILD
WITH LOVE AND TENDER CARE
A PRECIOUS CHILD WHO IS PLEADING FOR HELP AND
GUIDANCE
IN THESE CHALLENGING CHANGING TIMES!!!
MR. NINGEULOOK said he wrote the poem in 1986. He said he went
to high school at Mr. Edgecombe, and he mentioned a now deceased
elder who was like a mother to him in Sitka. He stated his
belief that "there are no sunsets in each one of our lives." He
encouraged the committee to take the time needed to approve the
proposed legislation. He talked about Winter Solstice and
preparing for a harsh climate. He explained he had selected his
poem to read to emphasize a child's point of view and the
importance of elders.
9:03:44 AM
CHAIR LYNN said it seemed that Mr. Ningeulook exemplified the
definition of an elder, and he expressed appreciation for Mr.
Ningeulook's previous remarks about opening one's eyes to a new
day.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked about Mr. Ningeulook's Ph.D.
MR. NINGEULOOK reiterated that he was focused on political
science. He indicated that he was taking classes via the
Internet, and he expressed appreciation for the ability to earn
a degree at his age. He reemphasized his concern about the
guidance of the next generation. He ventured that selecting a
specific date on which to honor elders may remind young people
about the vast knowledge that elders have.
CHAIR LYNN closed public testimony on HB 142.
9:06:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ withdrew her previously stated concern
about using "elders" versus "seniors". She noted that the
aforementioned statute, AS 44.12.100, covers seniors. She
indicated that she liked the term "elder" because of the
connotation of wisdom.
9:07:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report HB 142 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HB 142 was reported out of the
House State Affairs Standing Committee.