Legislature(2003 - 2004)
05/17/2003 11:45 AM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SJR 20-US COAST GUARD ROTC PROGRAM
SENATOR KIM ELTON, bill sponsor, stated it is his belief that
everyone is familiar with the role of the Coast Guard and the
notion of a ROTC program. The resolution encourages the Coast
Guard to establish a junior ROTC program in the Kodiak and Juneau
high schools. It would be a reflection of a high school program
that has been offered in Miami, Florida for the last ten years.
The other component of the program is to encourage a ROTC program
at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS).
The three areas the Coast Guard Academy is most interested in are
management, marine and environmental sciences, and government.
All of these are strong programs at UAS and the Dean of Students,
Paul Kraft, thought the program would be a good match. He noted
the Coast Guard Academy is currently meeting about half the need
for officers and if this were to happen, it would be the second
time the University of Alaska has cooperated with the military.
The first was the joint on campus recreation center/National
Guard armory facility.
He advised the committee they might want to add Betty Walters,
Superintendent of the Kodiak Island School District, and Bob
Meade, Principal of the Kodiak High School, to the list of those
who would receive copies of the resolution.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS expressed his appreciation for including Ms.
Walters and Mr. Meade because the Coast Guard is an important
part of the Kodiak community.
SENATOR FRED DYSON made a motion to adopt a conceptual amendment
to add Superintendent Betty Walters and Principal Bob Meade to
the list of recipients. There being no objection, amendment one
passed.
SENATOR DYSON asked what the Coast Guard population is in
Anchorage.
SENATOR ELTON said he didn't have that information, but in Juneau
there are between 250 and 300 active duty Coast Guard and a huge
retired population. He believes the same situation exists in
Kodiak. That pool of talent could be tapped by the school
district to set up the ROTC program.
SENATOR DYSON expressed appreciation that the resolution
encourages the establishment of ROTC and Junior ROTC programs in
other communities in the state.
CHAIR GARY STEVENS estimated there are about 1,000 active duty
Coast Guard in Kodiak on ships, planes and the base itself.
SENATOR JOHN COWDERY asked if there was any estimate of how many
Alaska students might participate.
SENATOR ELTON said that information isn't available, but because
of the number of people that grow up in fishing families and
families that are water transportation oriented, there will be
significant interest. In Alaska, the Coast Guard performs every
function; the military functions, the search and rescue functions
and now the homeland security functions.
SENATOR COWDERY made a motion to move CSSJR 20 (STA) and attached
zero fiscal note from committee with individual recommendations.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
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