Legislature(2003 - 2004)
03/10/2003 05:36 PM House EDT
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND TOURISM
March 10, 2003
5:36 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Cheryll Heinze, Chair
Representative Lesil McGuire, Vice Chair
Representative Nancy Dahlstrom
Representative Vic Kohring
Representative Sharon Cissna (via teleconference)
Representative Harry Crawford
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Pete Kott
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW: INSTITUTE OF THE NORTH, BY DR. JOHN TICHOTSKY
[For the regular meeting minutes, see the 5:10 p.m. minutes for
this date.]
TAPES
03-4, SIDES(S) A & B
CHAIR CHERYLL HEINZE called the meeting of the House Special
Committee on Economic Development, International Trade and
Tourism back to order at 5:36 p.m. Representatives Heinze,
McGuire, Kohring, Dahlstrom, and Crawford were present at the
call back to order. Representative Cissna (via teleconference)
joined the meeting as it was in progress.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
JOHN TICHOTSKY, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Institute of the North;
and Advisor to the Governor of Chukotka, presented a background
briefing for the visit of the Russian Federation Duma members
scheduled for April 13-18, 2003.
DR. TICHOTSKY showed a map of Russia, pointing out the proximity
of Chukotka to Alaska. He described the region's similarities
to Alaska. It is located far from the capital of Russia, being
8,635 kilometers and nine time zones from Moscow. It is an area
of immense size. At 737,700 square kilometers, it is twice the
size of Japan. Like Alaska, it has a population that is small,
and its approximately 75,000 people are dispersed widely
throughout the region. The capital and largest city in Chukotka
is Anadyr, with a population of 13,200.
DR. TICHOTSKY went on to describe some pertinent history of this
area of Russia. Prior to the year 2000, Chukotka was led by
Governor Nazarov, whose isolationist, restrictive policies he
said kept Chukotka in poverty. Chukotkans were not allowed to
travel. Their infrastructure was primitive, and the citizens
were starving.
DR. TICHOTSKY reported that since December 2000, with the
election of Governor Roman Abramovich, changes toward progress
have occurred. The wealth of the area instantly increased with
the establishment of residency in Chukotka by Governor
Abramovich, one of the world's wealthiest men. Because of
Governor Abramovich, he said, the natural resources have begun
to be developed in Chukotka. Gold, timber, oil and gas, and
fish are some of the industries important to the area. Tourism
is another burgeoning area in Chukotka. West Tours, a cruise
line active in Alaska, will provide two tours this year to the
area.
DR. TICHOTSKY told members that Chukotka has a history of
association with Alaska. Alaska Natives have helped to revive
some of the traditional practices related to a subsistence
existence and traditional whaling practices. Currently, they
are learning from Alaskans techniques in food preservation,
processing, and marketing. Indian Valley Meats from Anchorage
has been instrumental in this.
DR. TICHOTSKY went on to provide an introduction of the
representatives from Chukotka who will be here in April and to
relate some of the issues of importance to them with their
visit. The delegation will comprise the following: Mrs.
Valentina Nikolaevna Pivnenko from Karelia; Mr. Victor Petrovich
Voitenko from Chita; Mr. Vladimir Mikhailovich Etylin from
Chukotka; Mr. Nikolai Leonidovich Piskun from the Komi Republic;
Mr. Valery Petrovich Markov from Taimir, Dolgano-Nenets; Mr.
Petr Alexandrovich Yakhmenev; and Ms. Veronika Alexandrovna
Kalganova. They will be interested in learning more about the
Alaskan model for export and state and federal-state relations,
and about the municipal model and understanding the power of
Alaska municipalities. They are impressed with the success
Alaska has had in incorporating its Native population into
society, viewing Alaska's success as a model for them with their
Native people.
DR. TICHOTSKY said the Duma also hopes to meet with
representatives from the Alaska Federation of Natives, the
Office of the Governor, the oil industry, AIDEA [Alaska
Industrial Development and Export Authority], the Institute of
the North, and others. Linda Shafer from Governor Murkowski's
office in Anchorage will be coordinating this trip along with
the office of Chair Heinze in Juneau.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committee took no action.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Economic Development, International Trade
and Tourism meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were
taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by
contacting the House Records Office at State Capitol, Room 3,
Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and
after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Third
Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by
contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.
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