Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
02/19/2015 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR3 | |
| SJR7 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SJR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 7 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SJR 7-NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS' MONUMENT
9:24:58 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE called the meeting back to order. He announced
that SJR 7 was before the committee.
9:25:34 AM
SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, sponsor of SJR 7, stated that the
resolution was based on an idea from the Vietnam Veterans'
Conference to hold a nation-wide effort to get an American
Indian Veterans' Memorial in the nation's capital. He said he
sponsored a similar resolution several years ago, but time ran
out. It is an effort to recognize the tremendous efforts and
legacy of Native Americans and Native Alaskans. He noted there
is no cost associated with the resolution.
9:26:45 AM
KALYSSA MAILE, Staff, Senator Wielechowski, Alaska State
Legislature, provided an overview of SJR 7. She explained that
construction of a Native American Veterans' Memorial would give
formal recognition for generations of Native veterans who have
not been recognized in the nation's capital. In 1994, the Native
American Veteran Memorial Establishment Act allowed a memorial
to be built. Since then, support for a memorial has been
growing, and in December of 2013, an amended version of the Act
was passed. The memorial will be paid for by private donations
from a variety of organizations. She concluded that this
resolution expresses support for an American Indian Veterans
Memorial, which would recognize Native Americans who have served
in the military.
9:28:57 AM
SENATOR COGHILL asked if other states have similar resolutions.
MS. MAILE replied that Alaska would be the first state to pass a
resolution and Florida is working on a draft of one.
SENATOR COGHILL noted that there is an American Indian display
near the Mall in Washington, D.C. He asked if the organization
that sponsored that display is connected to the American Indian
Veterans' Memorial project.
MS. MAILE said yes. The organization has been working with
Vietnam Veterans' Fund for the memorial to be located near the
Vietnam Memorial.
9:30:18 AM
SENATOR COGHILL asked if other states had introduced similar
legislation.
MS. MAILE answered not yet.
CHAIR STOLTZE thought there was a WWII Native American statue.
SENATOR HUGGINS said that is correct.
CHAIR STOLTZE commented that it was inclusive of all Americans.
SENATOR HUGGINS noted that Alaska is lucky that it has veterans
in Congress. He asked if they had been contacted.
9:31:45 AM
MS. MAILE answered that the project has all the approval it
needs to go forward and is currently in the fundraising stage.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI announced that he would be happy to
continue to work with the Congressional delegation.
9:32:34 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS noted that Senator Sullivan is in town today and
he would speak with him about this effort.
CHAIR STOLTZE opined that Southeast Alaska communities and
families have paid a higher price per capita related to the
armed services.
9:33:55 AM
MARCELLO QUINTO, President, Alaska Native Brotherhood, testified
in support of SJR 7. He said he proudly served in the U.S. Navy
for four years. He stated it is time that Alaska Native veterans
are recognized for their service in many wars.
9:36:03 AM
WILLIAM MARTIN, Past-President, Alaska Native Brotherhood,
testified in support of SJR 7. He said they are pleased and
honored that Native Americans are being recognized for their
long history of service in the military. He concluded that they
served in order to protect their families. He noted that their
tribal organization will be writing a resolution in support of
SJR 7. He pointed out that a member of the Iwo Jima Memorial is
a Native American and he shared information about the Native
Code Talkers. He described the pride for those who served.
9:40:48 AM
WILLIAM SHAKELY, Commander, Southeast Alaska Native Veterans,
testified in support of SJR 7. He said they organized in 1995 in
order to help veterans who were not receiving their benefits. He
told a story related to designing the Code Talker medal. Five
Code Talkers are from Southeast Alaska.
9:42:47 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE requested the names of the Code Talkers.
MR. SHAKELY said they are Mark Jacobs, Jr., Harvey Jacobs,
George Lewis, Jeff David, and Richard Bean.
CHAIR STOLTZE said it would be appropriate to honor them.
MR. SHAKELY thanked the legislature for its support of Native
Alaska veterans.
9:45:06 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE noted former Representative Bill Thomas is very
supportive of recognizing veterans.
9:45:41 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS shared war stories about Native Alaskans serving
their country with pride.
9:48:31 AM
MR. SHAKELY told a story about a soldier from Hoonah who became
a sniper in WWII.
9:49:09 AM
DAVID STEPHEN BOWERS, representing himself, testified in support
of SJR 7. He related that he is a Seminole Indian and he works
for the tribe. He said he has been working on this project since
2010. He related how the initiative began. In 2013, Congress
approved a statue to be placed outside the National Museum of
the American Indian and the fundraising would be done by the
museum. He described his efforts to gather information, promote,
and fund the education center to be located underground.
9:58:53 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE thanked Mr. Bowers.
SENATOR HUGGINS thanked Mr. Bowers.
10:00:48 AM
RIC DAVIDGE, Director, Legislative Affairs, Vietnam Vets of
America, testified in support of SJR 7. He recalled when he
worked as the National Chair of Government Affairs for Vietnam
Veterans of America. The proposal was brought up as a concern
for the lack of representation of Native veterans. Since then,
there has been a lot of work done. He discovered that American
Natives were over-represented in war conflicts with no
recognition of that service. He said he is delighted to support
SJR 7.
10:02:52 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE thanked Mr. Davidge.
10:03:29 AM
MARY BROWN, representing herself, testified in support of SJR 7.
She noted she is Tlingit and daughter of a Coast Guard member,
sister of a Marine, and the proud mother of a son who served in
Desert Storm. She said she feels strongly about sharing her
feelings regarding this resolution. She shared her experience as
a mother of one who served and testified in favor of this
monument. She said she would like to see a monument in Alaska.
CHAIR STOLTZE closed public testimony.
10:09:14 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report SJR 7 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There
being no objection, it was so ordered.