04/18/2015 10:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS

           HB 180-ESTABLISHING CHILDREN'S DAY IN JUNE                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
12:48:25 PM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of HB 180.                                                                            
[HB 180 (EFD ADD) was before the committee.]                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
12:48:51 PM                                                                                                                   
MAILY  MIRAMONTES,  Intern,  Representative  Cathy  Munoz,  stated                                                              
that HB  180 will establish  the second  Sunday of June  as Alaska                                                              
Children's  Day. She  related that  when  she was  growing up  she                                                              
celebrated children's  day with her  family and friends.  "I still                                                              
have memories  of marking  the calendar and  waiting for  this day                                                              
to arrive," she  said. Having a special day dedicated  to children                                                              
is symbolic  and sends  a meaningful  message and will  complement                                                              
both Mother's Day and Father's Day.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MCGUIRE noted  that the sponsor statement  says that other                                                              
countries   organize  fun  celebrations   with  performances   and                                                              
interactive  games.   She  asked   for  examples  that   might  be                                                              
incorporated in Alaska and the plan to make this day meaningful.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MS. MIRAMONTES  shared that she  was raised in Mexico  where there                                                              
were traditional  gatherings with  family and friends.  There were                                                              
always  piñatas.   The  plan  in   Alaska  is  similar,   to  have                                                              
gatherings  and give  kids one  day  that sends  the message  that                                                              
they are valuable members of the family, community, and society.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
12:50:57 PM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR STOLTZE closed public testimony.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
12:51:20 PM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  MCGUIRE  moved  to  report HB  180  from  committee  with                                                              
individual recommendations and zero fiscal note.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE  announced that without  objection, HB  180(efd add)                                                              
is reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.