Legislature(2013 - 2014)BUTROVICH 205
03/19/2013 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR5 | |
| HCR2 | |
| HB52 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HCR 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HCR 5 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 52 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HCR 2-PURPLE HEART STATE
9:06:58 AM
CHAIR DYSON reconvened the meeting and announced that HCR 2 was
before the committee.
9:07:05 AM
SHELLY HUGHES, sponsor of HCR 2, introduced the bill. She
explained that HCR 2 proclaims Alaska as a Purple Heart State,
honoring the service and sacrifices of our nation's men and
women in uniform wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to
protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans. She noted that
Purple Heart recipients don't clamor for attention or
recognition. She requested that the committee grant them the
honor and distinction they truly deserve.
She provided the history of the Purple Heart, the oldest
military decoration in the world that is still in use. It was
established by George Washington during the Revolutionary War
and discontinued afterwards. On George Washington's 200th
birthday, it was promoted by General Douglas MacArthur for the
army to use. In 1942, President Roosevelt extended it to all
branches of the military. In 1958, Congress chartered the
Military Order of the Purple Heart. In 1962, President Kennedy
authorized a posthumous award and in 1984, President Reagan
authorized awards as a result of terrorist attacks.
She related that because paper records were often lost in fires
and battles, it is unknown how many Purple Hearts recipients
there have been. The best guess is about 1.7 million. In Alaska
the Military Order of the Purple Heart has 300 members. The
Department of Motor Vehicles has issued 716 Purple Heart license
plates. She pointed out that Alaska has the highest per capita
rate of veterans. She assumed that many unidentified Purple
Heart recipients are living quiet lives in Alaska.
She noted by proclaiming Alaska as a purple Heart State, it will
be joining four other states and 48 cities across the nation,
four of those in Alaska. She spoke of the honor of recognizing
recipients, as well as providing information about services and
benefits. She concluded that it is fitting to declare Alaska a
Purple Heart state.
9:11:48 AM
VIRGINIA SMILEY, staff, Representative Shelley Hughes, related a
personal story about her father, a recipient of a Purple Heart.
She said it is to the memory and courage of her father and
others that recognition is requested when Alaska becomes the
biggest Purple Heart state.
9:13:30 AM
CHAIR DYSON asked if state recipients have to qualify for the
federal Purple Heart.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES clarified that HCR 2 would recognize
Alaska as a Purple Heart state as a sign of support to those
recipients who have received federal recognition.
CHAIR DYSON asked why recipients would want this resolution
passed.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES replied that constituent veterans
requested this resolution because they felt it was important to
recognize Purple Heart recipients and to provide information
about services available to them.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he supports HCR 2. He asked if there
is a fiscal impact.
REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES said no.
9:15:33 AM
TIM ARMSTRONG, Member, Military Order of the Purple Heart -
Alaska, testified in favor of HCR 2. He explained that the
Military Order of the Purple Heart is a congressionally
chartered veterans' organization differing slightly from others,
as it is comprised 100 percent of combat veterans who have
sustained injuries directly resulting from hostile action in the
theater of war.
He related that the Military Order of the Purple Heart provides
assistance and support to veterans across the nation. Alaska has
the highest ratio of veterans and has always recognized the
contributions of veterans. He spoke of the awarding of high
school diplomas to veterans who interrupted their education. He
described the Purple Heart Highway and Purple Heart Day. Along
with other state symbols, he opined that there would be
overwhelming support for Alaska to be a Purple Heart State.
CHAIR DYSON said Mr. Armstrong was wounded in Vietnam.
MR. ARMSTRONG shared his personal story as an infantryman. He
recalled how the governor of California, Ronald Reagan, awarded
him his Purple Heart. He maintained that he is one of the lucky
ones. He spoke in favor of the Purple Heart Highway sign which
bears the photo of his own Purple Heart. He said he also
possesses a Purple Heart Highway sign.
CHAIR DYSON thanked him for his services.
9:21:17 AM
HENRY HUNTER, SR., Member, Military Order of the Purple Heart -
Alaska, said he is also a member of the American Legion and the
VFW. He testified in support of HCR 2. He shared his families'
military history and his personal story regarding his service in
Vietnam in 1968. He said he believes that if Alaska becomes a
Purple Heart State, it will help all Alaska veterans receive all
of their benefits. He said he was speaking for all veterans in
the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. He read from an article that
describes which holidays mean the most to veterans; Memorial Day
and the 4th of July.
9:26:47 AM
CHAIR DYSON thanked Mr. Hunter for his service.
KENNETH ROSS, Member, Military Order of the Purple Heart -
Alaska, explained that his job as Service Officer for Vietnam
Veterans of America - Alaska, is to find all the veterans who
live in rural Alaska. He said he is a recipient of the Purple
Heart. He related that he helps veterans receive benefits that
are their due. He shared his family history. He testified in
support of HCR 2.
CHAIR DYSON thanked Mr. Ross for his service and for his current
job. He asked how successfully TriCare is working.
MR. ROSS said people are reluctant to sign up for TriCare. He
thought it would work if they would apply for it.
CHAIR DYSON said he has heard that veterans are not satisfied
and they are not getting the attention they need. He thought
there was a new VA director, so things might change.
He thanked Mr. Ross for his service and his work on the behalf
of veterans.
9:31:03 AM
SENATOR COGHILL moved to report HCR 2 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There
being no objection, HCR 2 was reported from the Senate State
Affairs Standing Committee.