02/25/2025 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS

                 SB  40-HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:34:09 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 40                                                                
"An Act establishing the period between September 15 and October                                                                
15 of each year as Hispanic Heritage Month."                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:34:33 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON speaking as sponsor, introduced SB 40 in                                                                   
Spanish and continued with the rest of the introduction as                                                                      
follows:                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     SB 40  seeks to  formally establish the  period between                                                                    
     September 15  and October 15  of each year  as Hispanic                                                                    
     Heritage Month in Alaska.  This recognition aligns with                                                                    
     the federal  observance of  Hispanic Heritage  Month, a                                                                    
     time  dedicated to  honoring and  celebrating the  rich                                                                    
     histories,  cultures,  and  contributions  of  Hispanic                                                                    
     Americans.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     Hispanic   and  Latino   communities  have   played  an                                                                    
     essential  role in  shaping our  state and  our nation.                                                                    
     Their  contributions  span across  industriesbusiness,                                                                     
     education,  public  service,  science,  and  the  arts                                                                     
     enriching   our  communities   and  strengthening   our                                                                    
     economy.  By designating  this month  in state  law, we                                                                    
     affirm  the importance  of recognizing  and celebrating                                                                    
     these  contributions  in  a meaningful  and  consistent                                                                    
     way.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     SB  40  does not  impose  any  mandates but  encourages                                                                    
     schools,  community  groups,  and  public  and  private                                                                    
     organizations  to engage  in  educational and  cultural                                                                    
     activities that highlight  the achievements and history                                                                    
     of Hispanic Americans.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     By  passing this  bill, we  send a  clear message  that                                                                    
     Alaska   values   diversity,   inclusivity,   and   the                                                                    
     recognition of the many  communities that contribute to                                                                    
     our  shared  success.  I   respectfully  ask  for  your                                                                    
     support in advancing SB 40.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:36:31 PM                                                                                                                    
DEIRDRE GOINS, Staff, Senator Gray-Jackson, Alaska State                                                                        
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided the sectional analysis for                                                                
SB 43.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                 SB 40: Hispanic Heritage Month                                                                               
                                                                                                                              
                 Sectional Analysis  Version N                                                                                
                                                                                                                              
     Section 1- Adds a new section to AS 44.12.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Section 44.12.183. Hispanic Heritage Month                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     This  new   section  establishes  the   period  between                                                                    
     September 15  and October 15  of each year  as Hispanic                                                                    
     Heritage   Month.  Hispanic   Heritage  Month   may  be                                                                    
     observed  by  schools,   community  groups,  and  other                                                                    
     public  and  private   agencies  and  individuals  with                                                                    
     appropriate  activities  to  honor  and  recognize  the                                                                    
     contributions that Hispanic Americans  have made in the                                                                    
     history and culture of Alaska and the United States.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:37:32 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced invited testimony on SB 40.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:38:03 PM                                                                                                                    
DORA WILSON, Member, Anchorage School Board, Anchorage, Alaska,                                                                 
testified by invitation on SB 40 as follows:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     I  have lived,  worked  and raised  my three  beautiful                                                                    
     children in  Alaska. I have  been a  therapeutic foster                                                                    
     parent for  the past 21  years, where my husband  and I                                                                    
     have had  over 50 youth  come through our home  in that                                                                    
     time. I am a Community  Outreach Manager. I have served                                                                    
     in many  volunteer roles  as well  as on  multiple non-                                                                    
     profit  boards. I  am  also an  elected  member of  the                                                                    
     Anchorage School Board.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     I  am   taking  the   time  to  share   a  few   of  my                                                                    
     accomplishments because my married  name is Wilson, but                                                                    
     my maiden name is Garcia.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     To my knowledge,  I am the first  Latina Americana that                                                                    
     has been elected to the Anchorage School Board.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:38:55 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. WILSON continued:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     I am only one of the  many Hispanics in Alaska that are                                                                    
     working  every day  to advocate  for our  community and                                                                    
     inspire future generations.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     The Hispanic community in Alaksa  is very diverse, with                                                                    
     roots   in  countries   like   Mexico,  Guatemala,   El                                                                    
     Salvador, Colombia,  Dominican Republic &  Puerto Rico.                                                                    
     Hispanics make up 7.7 percent of Alaska's population.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     The  Anchorage  School  District  is one  of  the  most                                                                    
     diverse  school districts  in the  nation. Of  the over                                                                    
     100 languages spoken by  students and families, Spanish                                                                    
     ranks  in  the  top 5  languages  spoken.  Establishing                                                                    
     Hispanic  Heritage   Month  in  state   law  encourages                                                                    
     schools,  community groups  and public  institutions to                                                                    
     educate students and the  public about the achievements                                                                    
     and traditions of Hispanic Americans.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Hispanic  Americans have  contributed significantly  to                                                                    
     Alaska's workforce, particularly  in industries such as                                                                    
     healthcare, education, construction,  fishing and small                                                                    
     business  development.  Recognizing  Hispanic  Heritage                                                                    
     Month highlights the  importance of these contributions                                                                    
     and  encourages  greater  participation  in  civic  and                                                                    
     economic life.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:40:51 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 40.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:41:09 PM                                                                                                                    
JOAN RYAN ESTAY, Vice President, Enlaces Alaska, Anchorage,                                                                     
Alaska, testified in support of SB 40. She read her testimony as                                                                
follows:                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Hispanic  Heritage Month  is  a  vital celebration  not                                                                    
     just for Latinos, but for  all Alaskans, as it offers a                                                                    
     unique  opportunity  to   showcase  the  rich  culture,                                                                    
     history, and  contributions of the Latino  community to                                                                    
     the  state's   vibrant  identity.  In   Alaska,  Latino                                                                    
     businesses  are playing  an essential  role in  shaping                                                                    
     the local economy and adding  to the cultural mosaic of                                                                    
     the state.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:42:00 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. ESTAY continued:                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Latino-owned businesses are  growing throughout Alaska,                                                                    
     bringing with them a wealth  of tradition, flavors, and                                                                    
     expertise.   From    restaurants   offering   authentic                                                                    
     Mexican,   Central  and   South  American   dishes,  to                                                                    
     creative  enterprises  in   fashion,  art,  and  music,                                                                    
     Latino businesses are helping  to diversify the economy                                                                    
     and  enrich the  local  culture.  These businesses  not                                                                    
     only provide  goods and services, but  they also become                                                                    
     cultural hubs where people can  experience the heart of                                                                    
     Latino traditions and customs.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Recognizing  Hispanic  Heritage  Month in  Alaska  goes                                                                    
     beyond acknowledging  Latino cultureit   helps everyone                                                                    
     appreciate  the   depth  of  Latino   contributions  to                                                                    
     society.   It's  a   chance  to   open  doors   to  new                                                                    
     experiences,  whether  through  tasting  Latin-inspired                                                                    
     dishes,  learning  about  the  history  and  traditions                                                                    
     behind  them,   or  simply  engaging  with   a  diverse                                                                    
     community.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     For Latinos, this  month serves as a time  to share our                                                                    
     vibrant customs, history, and  flavors with the broader                                                                    
     Alaskan population.  It's a  way to  create connection,                                                                    
     understanding,   and   appreciation  across   different                                                                    
     communities. Everyone  can embrace this  opportunity to                                                                    
     learn  about cultural  practices, whether  it's through                                                                    
     attending events,  trying a  new dish,  or experiencing                                                                    
     Latin dance and music.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Moreover,  Hispanic   Heritage  Month   highlights  the                                                                    
     importance of  inclusivity, showing that  Alaska's rich                                                                    
       cultural fabric is strengthened by every community                                                                       
     Latinos included.  It's about ensuring  that everyone's                                                                    
     voice  is   heard  and  everyone's   contributions  are                                                                    
     valued, creating a more cohesive and welcoming state.                                                                      
     Latino businesses  help to  create jobs,  support local                                                                    
     economies,  and foster  a sense  of community.  Whether                                                                    
     it's    a    family-run   restaurant,    a    community                                                                    
     organization,   or   a   small  retail   store,   these                                                                    
     businesses  are integral  to  the  social and  economic                                                                    
     life  of Alaska.  They offer  opportunities for  cross-                                                                    
     cultural  exchange, where  Alaskans of  all backgrounds                                                                    
     can  engage with  one another  and  learn from  diverse                                                                    
     perspectives.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:44:28 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. ESTAY continued:                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     To conclude                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
     Hispanic Heritage  Month in Alaska  is about  much more                                                                    
     than   honoring  the   Latino  community.   It's  about                                                                    
     recognizing  how Latino  culture enhances  the vibrancy                                                                    
     and uniqueness  of the state.  From its flavors  to its                                                                    
     artistic    contributions,   Latino    businesses   are                                                                    
     enriching the Alaskan experience  for all. By embracing                                                                    
     this  celebration, we  can foster  understanding, build                                                                    
     stronger communities, and ensure  that Alaska remains a                                                                    
     place where every culture has the space to shine.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:45:12 PM                                                                                                                    
FELIX RIVERA, representing self,  Anchorage, Alaska, testified in                                                               
support  of  SB  40.  He  stated that  the  Hispanic  and  Latino                                                               
Alaskans  make  up 7.5  percent  of  Alaska's population,  though                                                               
undercounts  suggest  the  true  number of  Hispanic  and  Latino                                                               
Alaskans is 10 percent, with  most residing in Anchorage. He said                                                               
the  community of  Latinos has  a rich  history and  culture that                                                               
deserves recognition  through SB  40. He announced  the Anchorage                                                               
Museum  is currently  hosting an  exhibit celebrating  Latino and                                                               
Hispanic  Alaskans   contributions  to  the   state's  political,                                                               
economic, and social  fabric. He stated that SB 40  aims to honor                                                               
these contributions  at the state  level, like how  the Anchorage                                                               
Assembly  has passed  resolutions  recognizing Hispanic  Heritage                                                               
Month  for  many  years.  He  stated that  passing  SB  40  would                                                               
strengthen the community's connection to the state.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:47:27 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAWASAKI closed public and invited testimony on SB 40.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:47:48 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 40 in committee.