Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/28/2010 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB43 | |
| Fairbanks Annexation, Legislative Review | |
| SB212 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 43 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 212 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 43-SECOND VERSE OF ALASKA'S STATE SONG
3:48:25 PM
CHAIR OLSON announced the first order of business to come before
the committee would be SB 43.
SENATOR MENARD, sponsor of SB 43, said the bill would add an
official second verse to the Alaska Flag Song. SB 43 has a zero
fiscal note and will implement something many have wanted for
years. She explained that the Alaska Flag Song, written by
Juneau resident, Marie Drake, was adopted by the territorial
legislature in 1955. Having just had the 50th anniversary of
statehood, this would be the appropriate time to add the second
verse. Passing SB 43 would be an overdue honor to Carol Beery
Davis, who wrote the second verse out of love for Alaska and its
Native population in 1987, and pay homage to Benny Benson, who
designed the Alaska state flag.
3:52:26 PM
CONSTANCE DAVIS, daughter of Carol Beery Davis and Trevor Davis,
spoke in support of SB 43. She said her mother [Carol Beery
Davis] came to Juneau in 1920, worked as the organ player for
silent movies, and became close friends with Elinor Dusenbury
and Marie Drake, secretary to the Commissioner of Education. In
1926, the Governor and the American Legion started a contest for
school children to create a flag. After choosing the flag, the
Commissioner of Education said school children should receive a
flag and a copy of the Flag Act. Ms. Drake wrote a jingle that
she thought would be more appropriate for children than the Flag
Act. Ms. Constance Davis said that recognition of Alaska Natives
and Benny Benson, who designed the flag, were left out of the
poem at that time. Ms. Drake travelled around the state to
introduce the poem to children; the poem was officially
recognized by the Legislature in 1955. Ms. Constance Davis
explained that Ms. Dusenbury, who had moved back to Omaha but
was very homesick for Haines, Alaska, wrote the music to
accompany the poem.
3:54:58 PM
MS. CONSTANCE DAVIS explained that the second verse recognizes
Alaska Natives, especially Benny Benson, the beauty of the land
and the progress of Alaska and Alaskans. She explained that the
second verse is not a rewrite of the song, but an addition. She
noted that not all newcomers learn the song anymore and she
would like the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, who owns the
copyright, to print sheet music again, with both verses.
SENATOR MENARD pointed out that Fran Ulmer, former Mayor of
Juneau, and former Lieutenant Governor, has expressed support
for the second verse, as has the University of Alaska.
MS. DAVIS said the Alaska Youth Choir and conductor, Missouri
Smyth, have been singing the second verse when travelling to
other countries.
CHAIR OLSON asked for clarification that Marie Drake wrote the
poem and Elinor Dusenbury wrote the song.
MS. CONSTANCE DAVIS replied yes and explained that they worked
together though Ms. Dusenbury was in Omaha.
3:58:47 PM
MS. CONSTANCE DAVIS said people were talking about a second
verse when a friend approached her 95 year old mother [Carol
Beery Davis,] who stayed up all night working on it. The second
verse was Carol Beery Davis' last gift to the state.
CHAIR OLSON asked if Carol Beery Davis was 95 years old in 1987
when she wrote the second verse.
MS. DAVIS replied yes.
CHAIR OLSON recognized Senator Egan as being in the room.
3:59:59 PM
CHAIR OLSON opened public testimony.
CONSTANCE MUNRO, representing herself and Alaska Native
Sisterhood Camp Two, said as a new resident of Alaska, the first
legislative activity she attended was the singing of the Alaska
Flag Song in 1971. She was "a little stunned" and remarked that
she would not sing the song until Alaska Natives were
recognized. Carol Berry Davis suggested a contest should be run
for a second verse. The Native Coalition of Legislators decided
a second verse should be a gift from a non-native, not the
product of a contest.
4:02:07 PM
MS. MUNRO explained that when she had to leave Alaska in 1985 or
86, she told Carol Beery Davis that she regretted not achieving
the gifting of a second verse to Alaska Natives. Carol Beery
Davis called Ms. Munro the next morning and said she had a gift
[the second verse for the state song.] Members of the Alaska
Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood and Alaska Native legislators
looked at the second verse. Some testified the first time this
piece of legislature was proposed [HB 45 in 2003]. She hopes
this legislative body will take the lead and get SB 43 through.
4:04:37 PM
MARIE DARLIN, representing herself, said that though it has been
tried before, she was glad to see the second verse might
actually become law. She feels it really deserves to be
official.
4:06:22 PM
CHAIR OLSON asked if Senator Egan, as the first state Governor's
son, would like to say anything about the second verse being
added to the state song.
SENATOR EGAN said he was in full support of SB 43. He had talked
to former Lieutenant Governor and former Juneau mayor, Fran
Ulmer, about the second verse. The Juneau assembly passed a
resolution in support of the second verse years ago.
CHAIR OLSON asked what Senator Egan's dad would say about the
second verse being added to the state song.
SENATOR EGAN said he would be in favor of it and that his
mother, who is 95 years old, still sings the first verse every
day and is slowly learning verse two.
4:08:41 PM
SENATOR KOOKESH recognized Ms. Monro's dedication over the
years. He said he is an Alaska Native and a lifelong resident
and was disappointed to see this legislation fail previously. He
was a member of the House and then the Senate when majorities in
those bodies would not adopt a bill with the words "Alaska
Native" or the word "tribe." For the first time in history, two
bills were passed in 2009 with the words "tribe" and "Alaska
Native." He said the state seal has no depiction of an Alaska
Native. This is a great step in the right direction and he hoped
SB 43 would pass.
SENATOR THOMAS moved to report SB 43 from committee with
individual recommendations.
4:10:41 PM
At Ease
4:12:15 PM
CHAIR OLSON said the motion needed to be restated.
SENATOR THOMAS moved to report SB 43 to the next committee of
referral with individual recommendations and a zero fiscal note.
Without objection, it was so ordered.
^FAIRBANKS ANNEXATION, LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
4:12:34 PM
SENATOR THOMAS requested that the Senate Community and Regional
Affairs committee hold hearings on the local boundary
commission's December 10th, 2009 approval of the annexation of
several parcels of property in the Fairbanks area.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 1-28-2010 Senate Community and Regional Affairs Agenda.PDF |
SCRA 1/28/2010 3:30:00 PM |
|
| SB 43 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SCRA 1/28/2010 3:30:00 PM |
SB 43 |
| Fiscal Note SB 43.pdf |
SCRA 1/28/2010 3:30:00 PM |
SB 43 |
| SB 43 Bill Back up.pdf |
SCRA 1/28/2010 3:30:00 PM |
SB 43 |
| Fairbanks Local Boundary Commission Statement of Decision.PDF |
SCRA 1/28/2010 3:30:00 PM |
Local Boundary Commission |
| SB 212 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SCRA 1/28/2010 3:30:00 PM |
SB 212 |