04/08/1994 08:15 AM House RES

  SCR 13 - Gold Rush Centennial Decade                                         
                                                                               
  SENATOR BERT SHARP, PRIME SPONSOR, stated the purpose of SCR
 is to underscore the importance of gold mining in the                     
  origin of the state.  Gold mining was the spark which fired                  
  Alaska's development.  He said SCR 13 recognizes the years,                  
  1994-2004 as the Gold Rush Centennial Decade and urges                       
  schools, public and private organizations, and the people of                 
  the state to coordinate statewide celebrations of the 100th                  
  anniversary.  He stressed a celebration of this nature will                  
  serve to reinstill an appreciation and point out the                         
  importance of gold and the fever of the gold rush era in                     
  shaping Alaska's history.  Hopefully, the refocusing will                    
  promote a higher level of pride in the state's past and                      
  enhance tourism opportunities.                                               
                                                                               
  SENATOR SHARP said in 1993, the governor and the lieutenant                  
  governor established the Alaska Gold Rush Centennial Task                    
  Force which now have over 124 active members from 25                         
  communities throughout Alaska.  He noted SCR 13 also                         
  recognizes the task force as the official coordinator and                    
  promoter of the statewide centennial activities.                             
                                                                               
  (CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS noted for the record that REPRESENTATIVE                  
  MULDER had joined the committee at 8:35 a.m.)                                
                                                                               
  Number 037                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN felt on page 1, line 10, where it                   
  states "along with the prospectors came people, both honest                  
  and crooked," detracts from a very nice resolution.                          
                                                                               
  SENATOR SHARP said he would leave that determination up to                   
  the committee.                                                               
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE JEANNETTE JAMES felt there is no point in                     
  white-washing the resolution.  She stated if something is                    
  going to be celebrated, the actual historical happenings                     
  should be celebrated.                                                        
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE BILL HUDSON noted that one of the major                       
  attractions in Skagway is the saga of Soapy Smith plus his                   
  burial grounds.  He felt the line under discussion adds                      
  color and is fine.                                                           
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE PAT CARNEY also felt the line in question is                  
  out of place and not relative.                                               
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON made a MOTION to MOVE SCR 13 out of                    
  committee with INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS.                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if there were any objections.                        
  Hearing none, the MOTION PASSED.