Legislature(2017 - 2018)GRUENBERG 120
02/08/2018 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR15|| SCR14 | |
| HB194 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HCR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SCR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 194 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HCR 15-DECORATION OF HONOR AWARD
SCR 14-DECORATION OF HONOR AWARD
1:04:12 PM
CHAIR TUCK announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 15, Relating to awarding the
Alaska Decoration of Honor to certain members of the military
and SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14, Relating to awarding
the Alaska Decoration of Honor to certain members of the
military.
1:04:46 PM
SENATOR MIA COSTELLO, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented SCR 14. She paraphrased the sponsor
statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
It is an honor and a privilege to recognize those who
have given the ultimate sacrifice in the service of
Alaska, that of surrendering their life in the
protection of our state and our country. Since 2007,
the Legislature has honored their sacrifice with the
Alaska Decoration of Honor, presenting a medal to
surviving family or friends. There have been more than
two hundred recipients of this honor since statehood,
recognizing the important roll Alaskans have played,
and continue to play, in the security of our home.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 awards the Alaska
Decoration of Honor to three armymen killed in the
line of duty during 2017:
Private First Class Hansen B. Kirkpatrick (Died
July 3, 2017)
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jacob M. Sims (Died
October 28, 2017)
Staff Sergeant David T. Brabander (Died December
11, 2017)
Private Kirkpatrick of Wasilla served as a mortarman
in the 1-36 Infantry stationed in Fort Bills, Texas.
At only 19 years old, he died in Helmand Province,
Afghanistan, due to wounds sustained during an
indirect fire attack. He was described as "a caring,
disciplined, and intelligent young soldier."
Chief Warrant Officer Sims of Oklahoma and Southeast
Alaska, 36, was a combat engineer turned UH-60
Blackhawk helicopter pilot who had served this state
and nation for nearly 20 years. He was killed in a
helicopter crash during his deployment in Logar
Province, Afghanistan. He served multiple tours of
duty in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Staff Sergeant Brabander of Wasilla was a squad leader
at Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson. The 24-year-old
deployed to Afghanistan in September, and was killed
in Nangahar Province, Afghanistan when his vehicle
overturned in a combat zone. Like so many Alaskans, he
loved the outdoors.
It is a solemn occasion for a Decoration of Honor to
be necessary, and it is our hope that those who put
their lives on the line for the safety of Alaskans
return home safely themselves. We offer our
condolences to the families and friends of these three
servicemen, honor their service, and memorialize their
sacrifice by passing SCR 14.
SENATOR COSTELLO noted that it is Alaska Statute (AS) 26.05.342
that allows this honor to be awarded; it requires a resolution
be passed by the legislature in order to provide the awards to
the families.
1:07:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, presented HCR 15. For the record, he stated the
names of the fallen servicemen being honored [as listed in
Senator Costello's sponsor statement previously provided]. He
added the names of the surviving family of each deceased
serviceman.
1:09:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked, "Do you have any idea how many
more of the declaration of honor medals we have in inventory?"
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI answered that the Joint Armed Services
Committee has approximately 60 blank medals in storage.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER noted that the declaration of honor was
established by his predecessor, Representative Nancy Dahlstrom.
1:10:16 PM
CHAIR TUCK opened public testimony on HCR 15 and SCR 14.
1:11:10 PM
VERDIE BOWEN, Director of Veterans Affairs, Office of Veteran
Affairs, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA),
stated that DMVA supports HCR 15 and SCR 14. He expressed
appreciation to the legislature for creating the means to honor
fallen service members. In response to Representative Saddler,
he explained the process by which military personnel is
recognized. He said DMVA verifies that the individuals being
considered were killed in a combat zone. He said there have
been 241 recipients. He credited former Representative
Dahlstrom and her aides for their work to create a decoration of
honor. In response to a follow-up question, he said the contact
information for the surviving family of the fallen servicemen
was current as of a few weeks ago, and DMVA makes every effort
to ensure that they receive the awards given.
1:13:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER emphasized the importance of not only
making the award, but going the extra step in ensuring the
family receives it.
1:13:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD echoed the comment of Representative
Saddler. She related that there had been medals in her office
"stacked really high," and her staff tried to help find the
contact information for the recipients. She said it was sad to
see the medals sitting in an office when she knew "someone would
treasure and value them."
1:14:35 PM
CHAIR TUCK, after ascertaining that there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HCR 15 and SCR 14.
1:14:44 PM
CHAIR TUCK announced that HCR 15 and SCR 14 were held over.