Legislature(2013 - 2014)BUTROVICH 205
03/11/2014 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearings | |
| SB175 | |
| SJR24 | |
| SJR19 | |
| SJR18 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SB 175 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SJR 19-NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS' MONUMENT
9:41:18 AM
CHAIR DYSON called the committee back to order and announced the
consideration of SJR 19.
9:41:26 AM
KALYSSA MAILE, Staff, Senator Wielechowski, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said SJR 19 supports the American
Indian Veterans' Memorial Initiative (AIVMI) and provided an
overview as follows:
AIVMI is an effort to secure formal recognition for
the generations of Alaska Native and Native American
military veterans on the National Mall in Washington,
D.C. In 1994, Congress first passed the Native
American Veterans' Memorial Establishment Act,
allowing for the memorial to be built in our nation's
capital. Since that time, support for the monument has
been growing, prominent native and veterans groups
have passed resolutions in support and in December of
2013, Congress unanimously passed HR 2135, reaffirming
their support of this. It should be acknowledged that
the Three Servicemen's Statue on the Vietnam Memorial
goes a long way to honor the diversity of American
Veterans, yet none of the three servicemen is
representative of Native American people, and having
served in every military conflict since the
Revolutionary War, American Indians have established a
long and distinguished legacy of military service. SJR
19 affirms the Alaska State Legislature's support of
Alaska native and Native American veterans and
recognizes their great sacrifices for our country.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI noted that there are resolutions in support
of AIVMI from the Vietnam Veterans of America, National Congress
of American Indians, and Alaska Federation of Natives.
SENATOR COGHILL asked if AIVMI's monument placement has been
selected from a congressional act.
9:43:16 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI answered no. He explained that the Native
Americans have been trying to place a memorial on the Mall for
decades.
MS. MAILE specified that there are two locations that have been
considered: one is on the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial site and
the other is outside of the National Museum of the American
Indian. She stated that two sites previously noted are
acceptable to AIVMI, which is spearheaded by the Seminole Tribe
out of Florida. She pointed out that SJR 19 simply supports the
Memorial Initiative idea and supports Alaska's native veterans.
She added that AIVMI is not funded by Congress.
SENATOR COGHILL asked if there is a need for relinquishment of
land and would Congress have to act. He inquired if the Alaska
Legislature needs to push for the land relinquishment from the
District of Columbia.
MS. MAILE answered that Congress addressed the land
relinquishment in 1994 and 2013.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI remarked that Congress just needs to do it
and SJR 19 pushes for the project to commence. He said the
initiative is a nationwide effort to get the memorial
constructed. He noted that he has spoken with representatives
from AIVMI at a recent national conference that requested Alaska
to pass a resolution.
SENATOR COGHILL summarized that SJR 19 will add Alaska's "Voice
to the chorus." He said according to SJR 19, Alaska has 5,500
natives that have served and the Legislature has to speak for
them in many ways.
9:45:14 AM
CHAIR DYSON remarked that Alaska's aboriginal people have
volunteered and served in the highest percentage of anybody in
North America. He set forth that the patriotism exhibited by
Alaska Natives impresses him and he hopes that legislators will
work hard to get a suitable recognition of a monument in Alaska.
SENATOR GIESSEL noted that SJR 19 does not robustly call out
Alaska's native veterans. She stated that it would be nice to
have a line in SJR 19 that calls out the Alaska Territorial
Guard. She noted having the honor to hear a Navajo Code Talker
speak at a recent conference.
CHAIR DYSON mentioned his passion for history and noted that the
Japanese in World War II were absolutely befuddled by the Navajo
Code Talkers.
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SJR 19, labeled 28-LS1245\N with
zero fiscal note and attached individual recommendations.
9:47:34 AM
CHAIR DYSON announced that seeing no objection, SJR 19 passes
out of the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.