Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
02/25/2020 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR14 | |
| HB56 | |
| SB101 | |
| HB109 | |
| SB169 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SJR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 101 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 109 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 169 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 101-MARCH 12: ASHLEY JOHNSON-BARR DAY
3:56:41 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 101, "An Act establishing March
12 of each year as Ashley Johnson-Barr Day."
3:57:17 PM
SENATOR DONNY OLSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
sponsor of SB 101, stated that his district includes the
community of Kotzebue where Ashley Johnson-Barr was living at
the time of her tragic death.
3:57:50 PM
SETH BEAVER, Staff, Senator Donny Olson, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska introduced SB 101 on behalf of the
sponsor paraphrasing the following sponsor statement:
SB 101 establishes March 12th as Ashley Johnson-Barr
Day to commemorate the life of young Ashley Johnson-
Barr, who was taken from this world too soon at ten
years old.
In an unimaginable time of grief and loss, communities
across the state and nation joined the family and
friends of Ashley in support. While loss is
overwhelming, there is comfort in knowing progress can
be made in ensuring that other children will not
encounter the same tragedy.
SB 101 aims to bring light surrounding tragedy.
Establishing Ashley Johnson-Barr Day brings awareness
surrounding violent crimes committed against children
and highlights that individuals hold a moral
responsibility to make sure Alaska's children are
protected. It is complementary to the annual Sexual
Assault Awareness Resolution that passes the
legislature every year. Additionally, it brings
awareness to the missing and murdered indigenous women
across North America. 84.3% of Alaska Native/Native
American women experience violence in their lifetime,
a percentage we desperately need to reduce.
Honoring Ashley's life by wearing her favorite color
purple, volunteering for child abuse prevention
organizations, and celebrating the liveliness and
youthfulness of Alaska's children are all appropriate
ways to spend Ashley Johnson-Barr Day.
3:59:41 PM
SENATOR COGHILL asked the sponsor if he was working with
organizations statewide to spread this message.
SENATOR OLSON replied he plans to do that, but the focus now is
to get the resolution signed on or before Ashley Johnson-Barr's
birthday on March 12. This will provide comfort to her family
and others who have lost children through [sexual] violence.
SENATOR COGHILL offered to help spread the message beyond the
Kotzebue region.
SENATOR OLSON commented that tragedies like this happen far too
often throughout the state. He agreed with the governor's
statement that perpetrators should be on notice.
4:03:33 PM
At ease
4:04:05 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and passed the gavel to Vice
Chair Coghill.
4:04:27 PM
VICE CHAIR COGHILL opened public testimony on SB 101.
4:04:53 PM
LEWIS JAMES PAGEL, City of Kotzebue, Kotzebue, Alaska, stated
that this tragedy shows how people from all walks of life can
come together and work for the greater good. The support for
this resolution has not dwindled but rather has spread across
the state, nation, and other countries. He expressed hope that
establishing March 12 as Ashley Johnson-Barr Day not only brings
awareness of violence against children but also serves as a
reminder that humanity can show compassion and that the world
has more good in it than bad.
4:06:49 PM
ANTHONY CRAVALHO, representing self, Kotzebue, Alaska, expressed
appreciation that SB 101 has bipartisan support because this
issue is not political. He related that for more than 15 years
he has advocated for measures relating to sexual assault and
supporting victim services in Kotzebue. He said this is often
very sad and difficult work because the Kotzebue region has the
highest rate of felony sexual assault offenses in the state, but
Ashley's story is the saddest he is experienced. Establishing
Ashley Johnson-Barr Day is about remembering one young girl
raising awareness and starting meaningful discussions about the
welfare of Alaskan children and the sexual assault challenges
some of them face. He pointed out that children who survive
sexual assault often are traumatized into adulthood and this
trauma can affect future generations. He cited the latest Alaska
Felony Sexual Offense Report that shows that 42 percent of
Alaska Native females (like Ashley) are sexual assault victims.
This is the highest rate of any gender or racial group in the
state.
MR. CRAVALHO said he is calling as a father, an advocate, and
the chair of the Kotzebue Advisory School Council to ask for
support for SB 101. This will help recognize all sexual assault
victims and bring other stories of sexual assault into the light
Addressing Senator Coghill's earlier question, he said the
Maniilaq Association in partnership with the Alaska Children's
Trust and the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
(CDVSA) has done some outreach in coordination with the family.
VICE CHAIR COGHILL thanked him for his work.
4:11:02 PM
WALTER SCOTTY DANIEL BARR, Maniilaq Association, Kotzebue,
Alaska, testified as the father of Ashley Johnson-Barr to
encourage the committee to pass SB 101 to establish March 12 as
Ashley Johnson-Barr Day. It will bring awareness and help
prevent further sexual violence against children. He thanked the
sponsor for his advocacy and the many people around the state
and nation who have reached out in support. This is one thing
that may help stop the epidemic [of sexual violence] that has
gone on for decades, he said.
VICE CHAIR COGHILL extended his condolences and expressed hope
that this effort will help rid the state of this scourge.
SENATOR OLSON expressed hope that commemorating Ashley Johnson-
Barr on March 12 would help end this epidemic of evil.
4:17:35 PM
CHRIS DANKMEYER, representing self, Kotzebue, Alaska, stated
that all Alaskans suffered through the tragic loss of 10-year-
old Ashley Johnson-Barr. He said the local, state, and federal
response as well as the candlelight vigils were witness to the
outpouring of love and support to the Johnson-Barr family. The
color purple, Ashley's favorite color, gained meaning and became
a symbol of strength. He emphasized that Alaska must not
tolerate the high rates of missing and murdered indigenous women
and girls, the high rates of domestic violence and sexual
assault, or any violent crimes against children. This measure
highlights the moral responsibility to protect Alaska's children
by demonstrating that "Enough is enough."
VICE CHAIR COGHILL closed public testimony on SB 101 and
solicited the will of the committee.
4:20:05 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI moved to report SB 101, work order 31-LS0752\M,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note(s).
VICE CHAIR COGHILL stated that without objection, SB 101 was
reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee