01/23/1997 03:32 PM Senate STA

      SJR  7 AK NAT'L GUARD YOUTH CORPS CHALLENGE PROG                     
                                                                               
  JERRY BURNETT , legislative aide to Senator Phillips, sponsor of the         
 measure, explained SJR 7 supports continued funding for the Alaska            
 National Guard Youth Corps Challenge Program.  This 17 1/2 month              
 program focusses on youth who are statistically at risk.  The                 
 program consists of two parts:  the 22 week military residential              
 phase at Camp Carl at Ft. Richardson and the 12 month post-                   
 residential phase.  The Challenge Program has shown strong success            
 in its first years of operations with 85 percent of its graduates             
 in school furthering their education or working 12 months after               
 graduation from the program.  It was originally funded in FY 94 by            
 the federal government.  The funding is scheduled to end in                   
 September unless reauthorized.                                                
                                                                               
  SENATOR MACKIE  moved SJR 7 out of committee with individual                 
 recommendations.  There being no objection, the motion carried.