Legislature(2009 - 2010)BUTROVICH 205
04/15/2009 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing | |
| SJR22 | |
| HJR25 | |
| HB14 | |
| HJR27 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SJR 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HCR 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HJR 27 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HJR 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 14-ALASKAN MALAMUTE AS STATE DOG
4:52:38 PM
CHAIR MCGUIRE announced the consideration of HB 14. [CSHB
14(STA) was before the committee.]
STEFAN JOHNSON, sixth grade, Academy Charter said the fifth
graders want the malamute as the state dog, but he believes the
husky is a better choice. He noted that the husky, Balto, ran on
the serum run. He concluded that the husky has a longer history,
is more familiar, and would reflect Alaska better than the
malamute.
4:55:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BERTA GARDNER, Alaska State Legislature, said HB
14 was brought to her by students in her district. She met with
the school community to talk generally about the legislative
process. After one girl noted there wasn't a state dog, the
class did some research and then asked for her help. She said
her first question was why the state dog shouldn't be the husky.
The students gave a lot of persuasive reasons and their choice
is good. However, this is not about the dog but about the
legislative process. "It's been just a wonderful project no
matter what the outcome." She expressed the hope that the
committee keeps their minds open until they hear all the
testimony. She pointed out that everything in the packet was
written or elicited by the students.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked if the students discussed Alaska dogs,
because multiple dogs with a renowned history in this state.
4:57:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER said they did have that discussion. On
the House floor two amendments were offered. One was to make the
sled dog the state dog and the other was to make the husky the
state dog. Both amendments were voted down. Although the husky
is well known and beloved, she believes the husky and all dogs
are honored by having dog mushing as the official state sport.
SENATOR HUGGINS mentioned the wolf and said you can make the
case that multiple canines have a significant history in the
state. He encouraged everyone to maintain the open minded
approach that the students have demonstrated.
SENATOR WAGONER asked if the famous Balto was supposed to be
returned to the state.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER replied she thinks she saw Balto in the
Anchorage museum, but she isn't sure if he was on loan of there
permanently.
5:00:04 PM
JAMIE RODRIGUEZ, teacher, Polaris K-12 School, introduced
herself, fellow teacher, Carol Bartholomew and the five students
who would testify.
KAI ROBERTS, fourth grade, Polaris K-12 School, related that the
Alaskan malamute is the right choice as the official dog because
of its long history in helping explorers and miners during the
gold rush. "Theoretically, today's malamutes are doing the same
job as their ancestors. In other words, they continue to be the
same amazing dogs that they were throughout Alaska's long
history." The malamute is huge, just like Alaska.
OCEANA GAMEL-HOWES, third grade, Polaris K-12 School, said the
Alaskan malamute was named after the Inuit tribe called
Malamute. This breed has been in Alaska for over 5,000 years,
perhaps much longer. Recent DNA tests confirm that it is one of
the oldest breeds of dogs.
5:03:23 PM
MADELINE FLORES, fifth Grade, Polaris K-12 School, said Alaskan
malamutes stayed with Inuit children while their parents were
out on hunts. They allowed babies to crawl in and snuggle up
with their puppies. Explorers often reported that the work dog
kept by the Malamute people was less wild, more friendly, and
capable of an enormous amount of work. She pointed out that the
husky is already recognized through the official state sport.
Alaska dog mushing wouldn't be the same without the husky, but
that breed cannot match the long and varied history of the
malamute, she concluded.
ADELINE WRIGHT, second grade, Polaris K-12 School, said Alaskan
malamutes continued to be valuable freight dogs long after the
gold rush. They played an important role in the 1925 run to
deliver lifesaving serum to Nome. During World War I they were
called into service delivering supplies to stranded French
soldiers. In World War II Alaskan malamutes pulled sleds in
areas that were not accessible by other transportation.
5:07:08 PM
YUNG SHU WONG, fifth grade, Polaris K-12 School, asked the
committee to set aside any bias about a favorite breed of dog
and consider the intent of HB 14. "The Alaskan malamute's 5,000
plus years represents the entire history of Alaska." This breed
has impressed explorers, miners, and settlers. The Alaskan
malamute participated in the serum run and hauled massive
amounts of freight. The list goes on. The Alaskan malamute has
been involved in Alaska's history and has been a good team
member for over 5,000 years. The legacy of the Alaskan malamute
speaks for itself; passing HB 14 honors that legacy and won't
cost the state a cent."The Alaskan malamute deserves to be
recognized as our official state dog," he concluded.
MS. RODREGUEZ said the children have worked for over two years
on this bill; they have done the research and they are correct.
"We totally support them."
CHAIR MCGUIRE thanked the students and teachers for their hard
work. The testimony has been compelling, she said.
5:10:08 PM
ESTHER ERICKSON, sixth grade, Academy Charter School, said the
husky should be the state dog because it helped carry serum to
kids in Nome and it has a great history in Alaska.
MARIAH YOUNG, sixth grade, Academy Charter School, said she is
testifying against making the Alaska malamute the state dog. She
loves malamutes but the husky is steeped a little deeper into
Alaska history. The husky pulled a sled over 1,000 miles to get
medicine for a sick boy in Anchorage when the medicine and the
doctor were in Nome. The husky was specifically bred to have
thick fur, their paws work as snow shoes. The husky participated
in Alaska's first great race; it would be a good dog to
represent Alaska.
5:12:55 PM
ZACHARY BLOOM, sixth grade, Academy Charter School, said the
husky should be the state dog. It ran the great race over the
Iditarod Trail. Huskies were bred to make it across tough
terrain. "People come to Alaska to see huskies and not
malamutes," he said.
STEVEN MURPHY, sixth grade, Academy Charter School, said the
husky should be the Alaska state dog because of the Iditarod
race. They saved lives and helped people. Huskies are more
widely known around America than the malamute. "Huskies are
specifically the Alaska dog," he said.
BRANDY BOOKOUT, sixth grade, Academy Charter School, stated her
belief that some of the information about the malamute is not
correct; it is about the husky instead. The husky participated
in the serum run to Nome and restored hope to the sick. They are
thought of as an Alaskan dog, not the malamute. Most people
don't know what a malamute is.
5:16:24 PM
ELLI WALTON, sixth grade, Academy Charter School, testified that
the husky should be the state dog. People in the Lower-48 think
of huskies when they think about an Alaskan dog. Why make
another dog the symbol of Alaska? The husky was bred in Alaska
for Alaskans while the malamute is an ancient dog that came from
Siberia.
ELIAS STRATTON, sixth grade, Academy Charter School, said the
husky should be the state dog because he owns a husky. Last
weekend his dog pulled him on his bike along the Coastal Trail.
People don't know what a malamute is; Alaska is known for its
huskies.
COLE CLEMENTS, sixth grade, Academy Charter School, said he
believes that huskies should be the state dog because of
previous testimony. They have heavy fur, they like the cold
weather, and they helped a sick kid in Nome. He polled the
audience asking how many have seen a malamute and how many have
seen a husky. "That kind of proves that everybody's seen a
husky. That is my point," he concluded.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the Academy Charter School has a
nickname.
MR. CLEMENTS replied his school is known as "Home of the
Huskies."
5:21:11 PM
LOGAN METZLER, sixth grade, Academy Charter School, said until
today he had no idea what a malamute is, but even when he lived
in Arizona he knew about the husky. His grandpa is a
spokesperson for the Iditarod and he supports the husky as the
state dog. They are built for Alaska while the malamute was just
brought over with hunters. He believes the husky should be the
state dog.
MEGAN THOMAS, sixth grade, Academy Charter School, said the
husky should be the state dog because she has lived in Alaska
her whole life and has seen a malamute just once. She sees
huskies all the time and there are more huskies in the Iditarod.
It would be honorary to make the husky the state dog.
At ease from 5:23 p.m. to 5:29 p.m.
5:29:12 PM
CHAIR MCGUIRE said these students have put forward good
arguments on both sides. She related that sometimes the goal in
bringing a bill forward is to elicit a healthy debate. That has
happened here. She thanked the Polaris students for bringing
this bill forward and getting so many fellow Alaskans to weigh
in. She encouraged them to continue to participate in the
legislative process.
SHEILA MARTIN, dog breeder, Palmer, said she has lived in Alaska
for 25 years. She breeds and trains dogs and thus is familiar
with the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized breeds. She
expressed the opinion that recognizing the malamute as the
official state dog would be a mistake. The AKC recognizes the
Alaskan malamute as a breed that is separate and distinct and
doesn't encompass the many dogs used in sled dog racing. The
state dog should represent the dog that has been used by past,
present and future Alaskans, she said. This can only be the sled
dogs of Alaska. This is the dog that mushers and Alaskans call
the Alaskan husky.
5:34:31 PM
CHAIR MCGUIRE asked if she has thought about compromises to
recognize both a state dog of sport and a state dog.
MS. MARTIN expressed reservations.
CHAIR MCGUIRE asked if there is an Alaskan malamute.
MS. MARTIN said that is apples and oranges. Someone familiar
with the AKC thinks about a breed standard when asked about the
Alaskan malamute, but a Mackenzie River malamute that she
purchased in Alaska didn't fit the standard. That dog was
considered an Alaskan husky too.
CHAIR MCGUIRE asked the sponsor if she's thought of a way to
accommodate both canines.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER said it is the prerogative of the
committee, but the bill says the Alaskan malamute. The AKC has
its own rules. Initially she favored the husky, but it is a
mixed breed.
CHAIR MCGUIRE asked if she would support amending the bill to
include the Alaskan malamute as the official state dog and the
Alaskan husky as the official state sled dog.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER replied dog sledding is already the state
sport and that encompasses all dogs that are used in mushing.
The malamute has a multi-thousand year history in Alaska and is
associated with the first Alaskans. The malamute is the only AKC
recognized breed that is indigenous to North America.
CHAIR MCGUIRE asked the committee if they support the
compromise.
5:39:34 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS proposed letting Alaska students vote on the
issue.
SENATOR WAGONER concurred with Senator Huggins.
SENATOR FRENCH said this is what democracy is all about. Having
ballots distributed to students across the state is a great
idea.
5:42:31 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS encouraged the committee to seriously consider
letting the students vote.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER said this bill is largely about student
engagement and learning about the process. Another school might
want to bring forward another bill or amend existing statute if
this were to pass.
SENATOR WAGONER supported letting sixth grade Alaskan students
vote on the issue. It would be a very educational process.
CHAIR MCGUIRE asked the teachers at Polaris if they would
continue the quest for democracy if the committee decided to
have students vote on the issue.
SENATOR STEVENS suggested turning this over to the commissioner
of education. "If the commissioner is worth his salt, he'll find
a way to have an election and figure it out."
5:45:54 PM
MS. RODRIGUEZ said her group disagrees because it took 2.5 years
to get to this point. The necessary information can't get out in
time to have a vote. Putting this to a vote would be an entirely
different process. This isn't how you pass laws; you don't put
an issue out to a small group of people to speak for everyone,
she said. "We very respectfully object," she said.
SENATOR WAGONER disagreed saying this is the way the legislative
process works.
5:49:05 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS agreed with Senator Wagoner saying with due
respect to each of the kids that worked hard on this there are
lots of differing ideas.
MS. RODRIGUEZ said we understand that things can happen to a
bill, but the intent of the bill is to honor the whole history
of Alaska, not just dog mushing. The Alaskan malamute has been a
part of the entire history of Alaska. "We hope that you can
understand that," she said.
5:50:41 PM
CHAIR MCGUIRE said this bill just came to the Senate this week
and is moving quickly because of the good work the students have
done.
At ease from 5:50 p.m. to 5:51 p.m.
5:51:48 PM
CHAIR MCGUIRE noted that she was part of the bills regarding the
state seal and the state flag song; they elicited lots of
emotion. She thanked the students and held HB 14 in committee.
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