Legislature(2019 - 2020)CAPITOL 106
04/09/2019 08:00 AM House TRIBAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HR6 | |
| HB126 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 126 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HR 6-NAT'L. NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS MEMORIAL
8:03:38 AM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.6, Expressing support and appreciation
for the National Native American Veterans Memorial.
8:04:15 AM
ELIZABETH FERGUSON, Staff, Representative John Lincoln, Alaska
State Legislature, said HR 6 expresses gratitude for and
acknowledges the National Native American Veterans Memorial,
titled "Warriors' Circle of Honor," to be constructed in
Washington, D.C., at the National Museum of the American Indian.
She said the memorial will honor Native American veterans who
have "historically served in greater percentages than any other
ethnicity in every major war since the Revolutionary War." Ms.
Ferguson stated that the memorial would offer opportunities for
museum visitors and the general public to learn more about
Native American veterans and the distinguished honors received
by them. She opined that this is a topic not adequately taught
or generally understood. She said the memorial would also
"battle misperceptions" about the conflicts between being a
proud Native American and a proud citizen of the United States
of America. She spoke about the commitment made by Native
American veterans to protect the United States of America and of
their deep-seated patriotism.
8:06:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP thanked Ms. Ferguson for presenting HR 6 and
commended Representative Lincoln for sponsoring the resolution.
He recognized that the drafting of HR 6 tells the story of the
proud history of Native American military service. He shared
that he is glad to see such history recognized and honored.
8:07:27 AM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY opened invited testimony on HR 6.
8:07:49 AM
COLONEL WAYNE DON, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Alaska
Army National Guard, stated that he is member of of the
National Native American Veterans Memorial." He commended
Representative Lincoln for sponsoring HR 6. He identified
himself as a 25-year veteran of the United States Army and the
Alaska Army National Guard. He said he has been deployed three
times and served in both Bosnia and Afghanistan. He stated that
he supports HR 6 not just because of his affiliation with the
armed forces, but because many members of his family have also
served in the armed forces, from World War II to present. He
said he is proud to be part of the National Native American
Veterans Memorial project because it recognizes the
contributions of all Native Americans from the American
Revolutionary War to the Global War on Terrorism.
COLONEL DON explained that the United States Congress authorized
the National Museum of the American Indian to create a monument
on its grounds to allow Americans to recognize and learn about
"the courageous traditions" of Native Americans in the United
States armed forces. He said the museum's board of trustees
created an advisory committee of Native American veterans to
provide insight about military service. He stated that the
board is co-chaired by former United States Senator Ben
Nighthorse Campbell and Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma Lieutenant
Governor Jefferson Keel. He said the board is composed of
American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian veterans and
family members from across the country.
8:10:04 AM
COLONEL DON said the museum held consultations across the
country to gather feedback from Native American veterans, tribal
leaders, and community members to guide the direction of the
project and the design of the memorial. He discussed the design
competition and the selection of a design submitted by Harvey
Pratt, an artist from the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes who is a
United States Marine Corps veteran and recognized as a Cheyenne
Peace Chief. Colonel Don described Mr. Pratt's design for the
memorial and said it would be located on the northeast corner of
the museum grounds. He discussed fundraising and outreach
efforts undertaken by the museum and the advisory board. He
noted that the United States Congress included in its
authorization the caveat that no federal funds be used to
construct the memorial. He reported that the museum has raised
$7.8 million from pledges across the country. He noted that
there has been considerable support from Indian Country and
private industry. He said the goal is to continue raising funds
for a groundbreaking in fall 2019 and an unveiling currently
scheduled for Veteran's Day in 2020. He stated that the
memorial has received widespread support and financial pledges
from the following Alaska Native corporations: Arctic Slope
Regional Corporation (ASRC); Calista Corporation; Doyon,
Limited; Bristol Bay Native Corporation; Sealaska Corporation;
Chugach Alaska Corporation; Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI); and
Afognak Native Corporation.
COLONEL DON summarized the project timeline. He said the total
budget for the project, including outreach and construction, is
$15 million. He said the goal for the September 2019
groundbreaking is $8 million; he added that this goal is nearly
met. He shared his excitement for the project and his surprise
at the support from across the country.
8:14:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP thanked Colonel Don for his testimony and
asked him if he feels a house resolution from the Alaska State
Legislature would help with fundraising efforts.
COLONEL DON answered "absolutely." He opined that a resolution
in support of the memorial would help with fundraising efforts.
8:14:53 AM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY thanked Colonel Don for his service and his
testimony.
CHAIR ZULKOSKY opened public testimony on HR 6.
8:15:27 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 8:15 a.m.
8:15:55 AM
JOE WILLIAMS, Grand President, Alaska Native Brotherhood, stated
that he is testifying in support of HR 6. He thanked
Representative Lincoln for creating an opportunity to honor "our
veterans." He opined that it is something that is desperately
needed and is very honorable to be done.
8:16:32 AM
PAULETTE MORENO, Grand President, Alaska Native Sisterhood,
expressed her strong support for HR 6. She said many Alaska
Native and American Indian veterans have defended their
ancestral homelands. She said a structural memorial is "more
than just physical," but a spiritual recognition of "our Native
people and the land that we have occupied and continue to occupy
along with the peoples of today." She relayed that members of
her family, including three uncles and some cousins, served in
the United States armed forces. She discussed the dignity and
importance of paying tribute to American Indian, Alaska Native,
and Native Hawaiian service. She continued: "Not only have we,
for time immemorial, defended our people, our rights, our way of
life, and our land, but we have defended this country." She
said the Alaska Native Sisterhood (ANS) and the Alaska Native
Brotherhood (ANB) recognizes the significance of honoring Native
veterans in a profound and beautiful way.
8:18:31 AM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY thanked Mr. Williams and Ms. Moreno for their
testimony.
8:18:55 AM
IVAN M. IVAN said he is visiting Juneau as part of a fly-in with
the Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB). He discussed
efforts to secure education funding. He noted that he was a
member of the Alaska House of Representatives during the 1990s.
Mr. Ivan expressed his appreciation for the establishment of the
House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs, which he described as
an important committee and very positive step forward for the
State of Alaska." He said the committee is important to Alaska
Natives. He discussed the acceptance and recognition of Native
languages, something he said has allowed Native children and
villages a line of communication to the legislature.
MR. IVAN expressed his appreciation for HR 6 and the National
Native American Veterans Memorial. He shared that he served in
the Alaska Army National Guard. He mused on the tradition of
Alaska Natives from across the state answering the call of duty
to serve the country. He said Alaska Native servicemembers were
called "the eyes and ears" because of their contributions to
intelligence-gathering. He noted that there is a small memorial
in Bethel dedicated to members of the Alaska Territorial Guard
(ATG), but stated he has not seen a memorial recognizing Alaska
Natives for their service. He expressed hope that children can
learn about the history of their parents defending the nation.
He expressed that he would like to see those people recognized
for their participation.
MR. IVAN relayed his support for the resolution and shared his
desire to contribute as much as he can. He expressed how proud
is he is as a former state legislator to be before the House
Special Committee on Tribal Affairs.
8:26:41 AM
CHAIR ZULKOSKY, after ascertaining that no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on HR 6.
CHAIR ZULKOSKY announced that HR 6 would be held for further
review.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HR006 Sponsor Statement 4.8.19.pdf |
HMLV 4/30/2019 1:00:00 PM HTRB 4/9/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HR 6 |
| HB 126 Sponsor Statement 4.9.2019.pdf |
HTRB 4/9/2019 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB0126 4.9.2019.PDF |
HTRB 4/9/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 126 |
| HR0006A.PDF |
HMLV 4/30/2019 1:00:00 PM HTRB 4/9/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HR 6 |
| HR 6 Supporting Document Angapak Testimony.pdf |
HMLV 4/30/2019 1:00:00 PM HTRB 4/9/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HR 6 |