Legislature(2003 - 2004)
05/01/2003 03:15 PM House MLV
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HJR 14-NATIONAL WHEELCHAIR GAMES CHAIR LYNN announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14, Relating to urging that the 2006 National Veterans Wheelchair Games be held in Anchorage, Alaska. Number 0642 MARK GNADT, Staff to Representative Eric Croft, Alaska State Legislature, presented HJR 14 on behalf of Representative Croft, sponsor. He explained that these games seem to benefit many people in the community and can bring 550 to 600 participants as well as their families, trainers, and so forth, for a total of perhaps 1,300 to 1,500 visitors to the Anchorage area; he suggested these visitors likely would travel to other places in Alaska. He offered the expectation that this will bring in at least a million dollars just for lodging and food, based on $900 to $1,000 per participant. Thus it is expected to bring an economic benefit as well as the social benefit from these inspirational games. He deferred to testifiers on teleconference. Number 0792 SUSAN MACAULAY, Alaska Disabled Veteran Sports Program, Inc., offered her belief that this could benefit "all of us" in more ways than one. She recalled attending events with people from all 50 states plus Puerto Rico, and said it made her feel a part of the United States, since she was being granted the opportunity to do the same events that other veterans could do. She suggested that bringing these wheelchair games to Alaska is a big way of letting all Alaskan veterans feel that they are part of the veterans throughout the nation. Number 0936 BARBARA HOPKINS, Alaska Disabled Veteran Sports Program, Inc., noted that she was one of four founders of the sports program and has dedicated herself to helping disabled veterans, mainly in memory of her son, a disabled veteran who is now deceased. She lauded these veterans for their courage, and suggested that bringing the wheelchair games to Alaska would provide outreach and an example to other veterans who perhaps don't have the courage yet. She noted that Alaskan veterans must go to Seattle for treatment and that certain funds aren't available to them. Pointing out that the wheelchair games have 17 different events, she mentioned fundraising, donations, and grants. Number 1083 CHAIR LYNN asked whether anyone else wished to testify; he then closed public testimony. CHAIR LYNN spoke in strong support of HJR 14, noting that he is a retired military person and Vietnam veteran. Number 1116 REPRESENTATIVE WEYHRAUCH moved to report HJR 14 out of committee with individual recommendations [and forthcoming zero fiscal note]. CHAIR LYNN indicated that without objection, HJR 14 was reported from the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
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