Legislature(1999 - 2000)
02/09/2000 01:35 PM Senate HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HCR 15-DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH CHAIRMAN MILLER called the Senate Health, Education and Social Services (HESS) Committee to order at 1:35 p.m. and announced HCR 15 to be up for consideration. MS. JENNIFER STRICKLAND, aide to Representative Brian Porter, said the resolution simply establishes this coming March as developmental disability awareness month. Representative Porter decided to introduce this legislation as a resolution instead of a citation to bring broader recognition to the issue. Passage of HCR 15 will give strength to the efforts of many groups, especially the Key Campaign, and promote a greater understanding of the capabilities of Alaskans with developmental disabilities and the challenges they face. This has been a tradition in Alaska for a number of years and coincides with a similar designation on the national level, as proclaimed by President Reagan in 1983. SENATOR WILKEN moved to report HCR 15 from committee with individual recommendations and its zero fiscal note. There were no objections and it was so ordered. CHAIRMAN MILLER announced an at-ease. He called the meeting back to order and said that a person signed up to testify on the previous bill. He said the committee would take testimony now. MS. RENE' GAYHART, Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program, Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, stated support for HCR 15. HCR 15 is important because it recognizes nearly 12,000 Alaskans with DD and their need for life-long supports to be fully included in the community where they live. The Division welcomes the advocacy consumers, the Key Campaign, and the Key coalition branch of the DD Program. They also support the efforts of service provider agencies, families, and the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education to ensure that more Alaskans with DD are able to participate in and contribute to community life. The programs in her division accomplish the important goals of integration and inclusion in one's community. Recognition of March as developmental disabilities awareness month will demonstrate the power of community that is exemplified by people with disabilities. CHAIRMAN MILLER apologized for missing her testimony when the bill was before them. He then returned to SCR 12.
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