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 24-VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION POLICIES
9:32:06 AM
CHAIR DYSON announced the consideration of SJR 24.
9:32:28 AM
ERIC HOLLEN, Staff, Senator Huggins, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, presented an overview of SJR 24 as follows:
I am here today to request legislators to consider SJR
24, requesting Veterans Affairs to change their
policies with regard to First Amendment rights and
freedom of religion specifically. SJR 24 basically
came to my attention mid-December of 2013. There was
an issue regarding veterans not receiving Christmas
cards based on language on the front of the cards,
specifically "Merry Christmas" or "God bless you;" the
cards that have this language were not delivered to
the veterans. Dozens of students who attend Grace
Academy in Prosper, Texas didn't get a chance to
deliver their cards that they had made by hand for the
local veterans hospital in Dallas. The cards were the
idea of Susan Chapman, the math teacher at Grace
Academy; she is married to a veteran and volunteers
with the American Legion and other veterans'
organizations. Specifically with regard to Miss
Chapman's issue, a Veteran Administration's (VA)
employee told her that her students' cards would not
be accepted based on the language's religious tone,
proclaiming "Merry Christmas" or the cards that said
"God Bless You."
MR. HOLLEN continued to point out VA hospital events that
ignored the First Amendment and did not allow Christmas caroling
and gifts. He summarized that he is requesting the following:
That the Alaska State Legislature respectively request
the United State Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
reconsider the policies that are currently in place
that violate the rights of veterans at VA hospitals
nationally to ensure our honored veterans receive
timely holiday gifts and cards.
CHAIR DYSON noted his frustration with the Veterans
Administration's policy towards Christmas cards and gifts. He
asked Mr. Hollen if he had found any copies of the VA's policy.
9:35:54 AM
MR. HOLLEN answered yes. He explained that the VA's policy
language can be interpreted on a case by case basis. He noted
that handling on a case by case basis led to only four
opportunities where Christmas cards and gifts were mishandled.
He pointed out that the aforementioned incidents had not
occurred in Alaska. He explained that the VA's policy is
interpreted by the person in charge. He noted that the backlash
was significant and the previously mentioned incidents will not
be a major issue again due to the backlash across the United
States. He asserted that people were not very happy that
veterans did not get their cards, especially after fighting for
their country.
SENATOR COGHILL stated that he could understand where the VA may
have problems if they were required to send out Christmas cards,
but to forbid other people from getting Christmas cards flies in
the face of the Constitution. He added that regardless of
whether an individual is a Christian or not, to send a card to a
veteran and have it censored by the VA is unconscionable. He
asked if the request from the Legislature to hear back from the
United State Secretary of Veterans Affairs will have to specify
the means in which the VA replies.
9:38:32 AM
MR. HOLLEN answered no.
SENATOR COGHILL recommended that language in SJR 24 specifies to
either the "presiding officer" or to "each seated legislator."
SENATOR DYSON announced that the Chair is open to a conceptual
amendment. He suspected that if the reply went to the presiding
officer that they would distribute it.
SENATOR COGHILL noted being under some presiding officers that
did not distribute information. He suggested "Each seated Alaska
State Legislator" be inserted.
SENATOR GIESSEL suggested that "Provide each member of the
Alaska State Legislature with."
SENATOR GIESSEL announced that she so moved the conceptual
amendment to include "Provide each member of the Alaska State
Legislature with."
SENATOR COGHILL objected to review where the conceptual
amendment goes in SJR 24.
SENATOR GIESSEL explained that line 23, "Secretary of Veterans
Affairs 'provide each member of the Alaska State Legislature
with' copies."
SENATOR COGHILL agreed with Senator Giessel's suggested
amendment.
CHAIR DYSON asked if there was objection to the conceptual
amendment. He announced that seeing no objection, the conceptual
amendment is accepted.
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SJR 24, labeled 28-LS1412\A as
amended with zero fiscal note and attached individual
recommendations.
9:40:11 AM
CHAIR DYSON asked if there was an objection. He announced that
seeing no objection, CSSJR 24(STA) passes out of the Senate
State Affairs Standing Committee.