Legislature(2013 - 2014)BUTROVICH 205
04/17/2014 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB216 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 216 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 216-OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE STATE
9:01:45 AM
CHAIR DYSON announced the consideration of HB 216. [CSHB
216(STA), was before the committee.]
9:02:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JONATHON KREISS-TOMKINS, Alaska State
Legislature, speaking as one of the joint prime sponsors of HB
216 sponsor, explained that the legislation symbolically
recognizes Alaska Native languages as official languages of the
State of Alaska. The committee substitute (CS) includes a new
Section 2 that improves the bill by defining that there is no
obligation or burden on the State to print materials in all
languages listed in the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said that his office contacted
both Legislative Legal and the Department of Law to ensure that
the bill is on the legal "straight and narrow." He cited the
following excerpts from a Legislative Legal memo from Hilary
Martin:
In my opinion, a court would not find the addition of
20 more languages to AS 44.33.310 imposes any
additional obligations on the government.
It is my opinion that HB 216 would not require schools
to teach a second language in the public school
system.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS observed that in light of the
foregoing, some might question the need for the bill. He said
the sponsors recognize there is a statewide movement to prevent
the extinction of Alaska Native languages and understand that
promoting the revitalization of Native languages means the world
to a lot of people. He said he doesn't generally favor symbolic
legislation, but if a symbolic bill can create a sense of
energy, momentum, and excitement then it achieves its purpose.
Thus far, HB 216 has done exactly that, he said.
9:04:25 AM
SENATOR COGHILL said he appreciates the sideboards and actually
considered including the term "symbolic" in the statute. He said
he agrees with honoring the different languages in the state,
without any mandate.
9:05:56 AM
RICHARD ANDERSON, representing himself, Juneau, Alaska, said
he's a UAS student who is majoring in Alaska Native studies and
language. He described HB 216 as a very important bill that has
brought a glow to many faces since it was introduced. It's the
right thing to do to acknowledge the people who have lived here
for generations. It's a matter of respect.
9:08:32 AM
DAVID KATZEEK, representing himself, Juneau, Alaska, introduced
himself and testified in Tlingit with the following English
translation:
Most noble, very precious, very unique children of the
earth, thank you for allowing me to come speak with
you this morning. The Ancient Ones long ago, spoke to
us and told us how powerful language really is.
Whatever language we speak, is very powerful. Our life
is in the words we speak, whether they're positive or
negative or whether they're neutral. What words we
speak to ourselves, more than anybody else, we
actually then begin to demonstrate it when we come
together. Our language really is our community. Just
as you men and women sit here and you speak the
English language, you develop a community with one
another. Whether you agree with each other or
disagree, you have community.
MR. KATZEEK suggested the members review the reports after
Wrangell was bombarded and what was said about the Tlingit
People, their language and the ways and means in which they
worked. It shows the power of the language, the respect and the
honor. Most importantly, it showed they agreed to disagree. This
is very powerful in any society, he said.
MR. KATZEEK related that he speaks English fluently because his
parents and others in his community told him that there was
nothing he couldn't learn because he was intelligent. He said
that calling the committee members precious and special and
unique children of the earth is a powerful way to address
another human being. When Tlingit children begin to speak their
language in school you can see how happy they are because
they're called precious and genius in Tlingit. These are ancient
words and he strongly encourages the state to look at what it
took for the Indigenous People to settle the language and the
kind of language that they spoke that helped to overcome floods,
famine, and disease.
MR. KATZEEK thanked the committee for giving him the opportunity
to testify and asked that they favorably consider the bill. It's
important for the Native community.
CHAIR DYSON expressed respect for the Tlingit community and
culture.
9:16:28 AM
KIM REITMEIER, President, ANCSA Regional Association, testified
in support of HB 216. She said the ANCSA Regional Association
represents the chief executive officers of the 12 land-based
regional Alaska Native corporations. The corporations are owned
by over 100,000 Alaska Native people and were formed under the
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. The mission of the
Association is to collaborate in the creation of a sustainable
socio-economic future for Alaska Native people. They recognize
civic engagement as an essential element to the success of the
culture and communities.
She expressed appreciation for the opportunity to testify in
support of HB 216 that recognizes all Alaska Native languages as
official languages of the State of Alaska. This is an important
step in recognizing the vital role of Alaska Native people and
their culture. She thanked the committee for its consideration.
CHAIR DYSON noted that in a previous session he introduced a
bill to include in parenthesis the Native names for geographical
features on state maps. He encouraged Ms. Reitmeier and Mr.
Katzeek to support the bill when it comes up again.
MR. KETZEEK expressed his appreciation.
9:22:03 AM
CHAIR DYSON recessed the Senate State Affairs Committee to a
call of the chair.
[The committee did not reconvene on 4/17/14 and SB 216 was held
in committee.]
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