Legislature(2019 - 2020)GRUENBERG 120
02/11/2020 02:15 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB223 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 223 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 223-NAMING VIETNAM HELI. PILOTS' MEM. BRIDGE
[Contains discussion of SB 4 and SB 84.]
2:18:12 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON announced that the only order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 223 "An Act naming the Vietnam
Helicopter Pilots' Memorial Bridge."
2:18:52 PM
CO-CHAIR SHAW, as prime sponsor, introduced HB 223. He noted
that this bill is close to his heart. He explained that he
served two tours in the Vietnam Conflict and has been invited to
join as an associate the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
because of his service and because he is a licensed helicopter
pilot.
CO-CHAIR SHAW explained that the idea for this bill originated
with Representative Tilton, and that she had graciously given
him the opportunity to sponsor the bill because of his service
during the Vietnam era. Representative Shaw expressed his honor
and gratitude to Representative Tilton and to her staff member,
Heath Hilyard, for his work in preparing the bill; he also
thanked his staff Josh Walton for his "yeoman's effort" in
preparing the bill, and finally to the co-sponsors of the bill,
who are all veterans.
2:20:22 PM
CO-CHAIR SHAW displayed a framed photograph of himself in 1970
in Vietnam, with a helicopter in frame. He explained that the
photograph depicted his direct involvement with helicopters and
their pilots during the Vietnam Conflict. He recounted that the
Battle of Ia Drang was the first battle, and thus began the
legacy of Vietnam helicopter pilots as the lifeline and life
blood to all tasked with their own specific duty, whether it was
infantry, or tanks; the helicopter pilots were there for a safe
way in and out and were heroes to all who served.
2:22:01 PM
JOSHUA WALTON, Staff, Representative Laddie Shaw, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HB 223 on behalf of Representative Shaw,
prime sponsor. He explained that the bill would name bridges
numbers 1124 and 1889 on the Glenn Highway - which span the
Matanuska River both northbound and southbound at mile 30.4- as
"Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Memorial Bridge." He indicated that
a nearby bridge, the Sergeant James Bromsteel Bridge - which
spans the Knik River - would not be affected by this bill.
MR. WALTON drew attention to information contained in the
committee packet, entitled "HB 223 Bridge Images 2.7.2020" as
Google Maps photographs showing the bridges. He cited material
in the packet, entitled "HB 223 Additional Info - Helicopters in
Vietnam 2.7.2020" as an academic, historical article of interest
of the role of Helicopters in the Vietnam Conflict. He also
cited other materials in the packet, entitled "HB 223 Additional
Info- Air & Space Magazine Article 2.7.2020" and "HB 223
Additional Info- Vietnam Helicopter Memorial - Time Magazine
2.7.2020" as contemporary articles of interest that describe the
heroism of the pilots and some of their challenges post-
conflict.
2:24:14 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON thanked the witnesses for their testimony and
thanked Co-Chair Shaw for his service to the country.
2:24:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked what the names of the bridges are
currently and whether bridges are named when they are built or,
if not, how naming of bridges happens.
MR. WALTON explained that for any bridge to be named, that
requires legislation; it is assigned a number but not given a
name when built. He continued that the bridges addressed under
HB 223 currently have no name.
2:25:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ inquired as to the plausibility of a
list that includes all past or present Alaskans who served as
helicopter pilots during the Vietnam Conflict.
2:25:37 PM
LYNN KYLE, President, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Alaska Chapter, explained that the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots
Association (VHPA) consists of approximately 16,500 members
nationally; the VPHA Alaska Chapter consists of 82 members and
the chapter is in contact with approximately 120 additional
individuals regarding membership and activities. He explained
that a list for Alaska is estimated to contain over 400 members
but is challenging to maintain due to pilots moving in and out
of state, the advancing age of the pilots, and the challenge of
maintaining current contact information.
2:26:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ noted that similar proposed
legislation, SB 4 and SB 84, sponsored by Senator Coghill, do
not contain a fiscal note. She asked why this bill is different
from those and contains a $6,000 fiscal note.
2:27:22 PM
CO-CHAIR SHAW indicated that a representative from Department of
Transportation & Public Facilities will address this question
later.
2:27:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON asked whether there is a female Vietnam
Conflict helicopter pilot in Alaska
MR. KYLE indicated that there are certainly female helicopter
pilots in Alaska; however, there were no Vietnam Conflict female
helicopter pilots.
2:28:41 PM
MR. KYLE further remarked that the Vietnam Conflict was a
"helicopter war." He noted that because of the capabilities of
the pilots, 82 percent of the wounded [evacuees'] lives were
saved, amounting to more than 900 thousand patients saved. He
noted that following the Vietnam Conflict they came to Alaska
and contributed their skills to AeroMed and other aviation
outreaches to the benefit of Alaska. He noted that although
members are now in their twilight years, the passing of this
legislation would honor their contribution to Alaska and the
nation during the Vietnam Conflict.
2:30:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON commented that her husband served two
tours in the Vietnam Conflict and thanked [the primary sponsor
and co-sponsors] for an opportunity to have a landmark to
represent the lives that were saved.
2:30:42 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON opened public testimony on HB 223.
2:31:07 PM
FORREST E. POWELL III, Program Coordinator, Office of Veterans
Affairs, Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, testified
that he is a retired military service member. He recounted his
weekly drives over the bridges addressed under HB 223 to the
Alaska Veterans Museum. He noted that the children he
encounters at the museum are curious and enjoy learning about
veterans. He indicated that it was the signage on the Bronsteel
Bridge that prompted questions from the children and resulted in
an opportunity for learning. Mr. Powell noted that his post-
military career with the State of Alaska involved serving
Vietnam [era] veterans. He said he enjoys stories that
transcend what one sees in movies, and he opined that the
Vietnam Conflict veterans are truly heroes. He stated that the
Office of Veterans Affairs coordinated with the Alaska
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities in naming the
Bronsteel Bridge and would be happy to coordinate again for this
proposed naming. He testified on behalf of the Office of
Veterans Affairs with the support of Director Verdie Brown its
endorsement of this bill.
2:33:43 PM
VIKKI JO KENNEDY testified that there are numerous casualties of
the Vietnam Conflict awaiting honorable and proper recognition
of their service and sacrifice. She stated her support of HB
223.
2:37:12 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON closed public testimony on HB 223.
2:38:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER inquired if someone could put the signs
up themselves [other than DOTPF] to avoid cost.
2:38:27 PM
MIKE LESMANN, Legislative Liaison, Department of Transportation
& Public Facilities, answered with a "qualified no." He
expounded that DOTPF follows a set of best practices guidelines
for signs and traffic devices, found in the Alaska Traffic
Manual. He continued that the manual is a version of the
[federal] Manual on Uniform Traffic and Control Devices, and
specifies things such as color, size, height, and other
considerations with a basis in traffic safety. He noted that
DOTPF Maintenance & Operations (MO) staff would be designated to
hang the signs as a matter of safety.
2:40:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER noted that in his community, when he was
chair of the Sutton Community Council, the council submitted an
application to put up signs on either end of the community. He
continued that the council received permission with a list of
specifications, and the council was able to put signs up without
DOTPF being involved. Further, he noted that DOTPF waived the
fees.
2:40:44 PM
CO-CHAIR THOMPSON asked Representative Rauscher on what road
[the council hung signs].
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER indicated they were on Glen Highway at
mile 54 and mile 67.
2:40:57 PM
MR. LESSMAN replied that he [has not encountered such] during
his time at DOTPF but would be willing to look into it.
2:41:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ restated her earlier question regarding
SB 4 and SB 84.
2:41:34 PM
MR. LESSMAN offered his understanding that SB 4 named the bridge
over Tok River after fallen Alaska State Trooper Scott Johnson
and that a zero fiscal note occurred with that legislation
because there was a reconstruction project of the Alaska Highway
underway including signage, and DOTPF was able to absorb cost
for that sign into the existing project.
2:42:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP asked Representative Rauscher how exactly
the signs [the council hung] read.
2:42:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER indicated "Welcome to Sutton."
2:42:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP asked DOTPF to answer whether there is a
difference between a highway sign welcoming [traffic] to a
community and one naming a bridge.
2:43:20 PM
DAVID EPSTEIN, Traffic & Safety Engineer, Traffic & Safety,
Southcoast Region, Department of Transportation & Public
Facilities speculated that the reason the council was able to
hang signs is because they are designated as "destination"
signs, which, in Southeast region, DOTPF would not hang.
2:44:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER clarified that his intent was to provide
a basis by which to determine whether signs could be posted
without DOTPF involvement in order to avoid cost.
2:45:05 PM
CO-CHAIR SHAW inquired if it was possible for the [Vietnam
Helicopter Pilots Association] to reimburse the state for the
cost.
2:45:17 PM
MR. LESSMAN indicated that DOTPF [likely has a funding mechanism
to allow a third-party reimbursement].
2:45:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON asserted that she does not wish for the
discussion regarding a $6,000 fiscal note to overshadow the
importance of [passing the legislation] to honor Vietnam
Helicopter Pilots with the proposed memorial bridges.
2:47:06 PM
CO-CHAIR SHAW moved to report HB 223 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note.
There being no objection, HB 223 was reported out of the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 223 Sponsor Statement 2.7.2020.pdf |
HMLV 2/11/2020 2:15:00 PM |
HB 223 |
| HB 223 Bridge Images 2.7.2020.pdf |
HMLV 2/11/2020 2:15:00 PM |
HB 223 |
| HB 223 Additional Info - Helicopters in Vietnam 2.7.2020.pdf |
HMLV 2/11/2020 2:15:00 PM |
HB 223 |
| HB 223 Additional Info - Air & Space Magazine Article 2.7.2020.pdf |
HMLV 2/11/2020 2:15:00 PM |
HB 223 |
| HB 223 Additional Info - VHPA Honored 2.7.2020.pdf |
HMLV 2/11/2020 2:15:00 PM |
HB 223 |
| HB 223 Additional Info - Vietnam Helicopter Memorial - Time Magazine 2.7.2020.pdf |
HMLV 2/11/2020 2:15:00 PM |
HB 223 |
| HB 223 Additional Info - VHPA Website 2.7.2020.pdf |
HMLV 2/11/2020 2:15:00 PM |
HB 223 |
| HB 223 Testimony - Received 2.4.2020.pdf |
HMLV 2/11/2020 2:15:00 PM |
HB 223 |
| HB 223 Additional Info - DMVA Letter of Support 2.11.2020.pdf |
HMLV 2/11/2020 2:15:00 PM |
HB 223 |
| HB0223A.PDF |
HMLV 2/11/2020 2:15:00 PM |
HB 223 |