Legislature(2003 - 2004)
05/17/2003 11:45 AM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SJR 20-US COAST GUARD ROTC PROGRAM SENATOR KIM ELTON, bill sponsor, stated it is his belief that everyone is familiar with the role of the Coast Guard and the notion of a ROTC program. The resolution encourages the Coast Guard to establish a junior ROTC program in the Kodiak and Juneau high schools. It would be a reflection of a high school program that has been offered in Miami, Florida for the last ten years. The other component of the program is to encourage a ROTC program at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS). The three areas the Coast Guard Academy is most interested in are management, marine and environmental sciences, and government. All of these are strong programs at UAS and the Dean of Students, Paul Kraft, thought the program would be a good match. He noted the Coast Guard Academy is currently meeting about half the need for officers and if this were to happen, it would be the second time the University of Alaska has cooperated with the military. The first was the joint on campus recreation center/National Guard armory facility. He advised the committee they might want to add Betty Walters, Superintendent of the Kodiak Island School District, and Bob Meade, Principal of the Kodiak High School, to the list of those who would receive copies of the resolution. CHAIR GARY STEVENS expressed his appreciation for including Ms. Walters and Mr. Meade because the Coast Guard is an important part of the Kodiak community. SENATOR FRED DYSON made a motion to adopt a conceptual amendment to add Superintendent Betty Walters and Principal Bob Meade to the list of recipients. There being no objection, amendment one passed. SENATOR DYSON asked what the Coast Guard population is in Anchorage. SENATOR ELTON said he didn't have that information, but in Juneau there are between 250 and 300 active duty Coast Guard and a huge retired population. He believes the same situation exists in Kodiak. That pool of talent could be tapped by the school district to set up the ROTC program. SENATOR DYSON expressed appreciation that the resolution encourages the establishment of ROTC and Junior ROTC programs in other communities in the state. CHAIR GARY STEVENS estimated there are about 1,000 active duty Coast Guard in Kodiak on ships, planes and the base itself. SENATOR JOHN COWDERY asked if there was any estimate of how many Alaska students might participate. SENATOR ELTON said that information isn't available, but because of the number of people that grow up in fishing families and families that are water transportation oriented, there will be significant interest. In Alaska, the Coast Guard performs every function; the military functions, the search and rescue functions and now the homeland security functions. SENATOR COWDERY made a motion to move CSSJR 20 (STA) and attached zero fiscal note from committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
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