Legislature(1993 - 1994)
01/24/1994 05:00 PM House MLV
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
January 24, 1994
5:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Richard Foster, Co-Chair
Representative Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair
Representative Pete Kott, Vice Chair
Representative Ed Willis
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Mike Navarre
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Randy Phillips
Senator Loren Leman
Representative Tom Brice
Representative Cliff Davidson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Presentation by Major General Hugh Cox, Commissioner of the
Department of Military & Veterans Affairs.
WITNESS REGISTER
MAJOR GENERAL HUGH COX III
The Adjutant General
Commissioner
Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
Alaska National Guard Armory
P.O. Box 5800
Ft. Richardson, AK 99505
Phone: 428-6003
Position Statement: Addressed the committee
JEFF MORRISON, Director
Administrative Services
Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
P.O. Box 110900
Juneau, AK 99801-0900
Phone: 465-4730
Position Statement: Observer
COLONEL JOHN C. FLEMING (RET)
AKNG Youth Corps Director
P.O. Box 5800
Ft. Richardson, AK 99505
Phone: 428-6067
Position Statement: Addressed the committee
MAJOR KEITH OISTAD
HQ AKANG/DA
P.O. Box 5800
Ft. Richardson, AK 99505
Phone: 428-6904
Position Statement: Observer
MRS. ERMA LEE HICKEL
Governor's House
716 Calhoun St.
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: 465-3500
Position Statement: Observer
NORM ANDERSON
King Salmon, AK
Position Statement: Listen only on teleconference
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 94-1, SIDE A
Number 000
CO-CHAIR ELDON MULDER called the meeting of the House
Special Committee on Military & Veterans Affairs to order at
5:10 p.m. Members present were Representatives Foster and
Willis.
CHAIR MULDER noted for the record that Representative Tom
Brice, Representative Cliff Davidson and Senator Randy
Phillips were also present at the meeting.
Number 005
CHAIR MULDER introduced MAJOR GENERAL HUGH COX, Commissioner
of the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs and
Commander of the Alaska National Guard and stated that
General Cox would discuss a new program that the National
Guard has started.
CHAIR MULDER introduced the First Lady of Alaska, MRS. ERMA
LEE HICKEL, and thanked her for joining the committee today.
CHAIR MULDER also noted the presence of IRV MARTIN, Director
of Emergency Services; JEFF MORRISON, Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) Legislative Liaison, and COLONEL
JOHN FLEMING (Ret.), Director of the National Guard Youth
Corps.
Number 016
CHAIR MULDER commented that MAJOR GENERAL COX is known as a
great advocate for the military and the legislature and has
been a good friend to the committee.
CHAIR MULDER then asked MAJOR GENERAL COX to address the
committee.
Number 019
MAJOR GENERAL COX thanked MRS. HICKEL for being present at
the meeting and stated to the committee that MRS. HICKEL has
been very actively supporting the National Guard Youth Corps
program.
MAJOR GENERAL COX stated that he was before the committee to
explain the new program and answer any specific questions
that the committee may have.
MAJOR GENERAL COX introduced JOHN FLEMING as the Director of
the Challenge program.
Number 028
MAJOR GENERAL COX explained that the program was started and
is funded at the national level. He stated that pilot
programs had been performed in a few states with mixed
success. The purpose of the program is to try and get
troubled youth to be more productive for themselves and
their communities. He stated that the way to do this was
for the youth to become high school graduates. Major
General Cox stated that when you look at the program cost
per student in federal dollars and compare it with the fact
that 80% of the prison occupants are not high school
graduates (Major General Cox stated that he thought the cost
of imprisonment was $70,000 per year), the cost of helping
these youth achieve a degree, a GED, or further education is
much less and that this is the target of the program.
MAJOR GENERAL COX stated that he has been working with
Alaska's congressional delegation and the National Guard
bureau in the Pentagon for a year and a half to get money
for this program in Alaska. He said Senator Ted Stevens
added the money for the program in FY94 so the program could
be expanded to eleven or ten states. Major General Cox then
asked John Fleming how many states would have the program.
JOHN FLEMING replied that sixteen states would operate the
program.
MAJOR GENERAL COX then stated that Senator Stevens and
Senator Inouye worked to ensure that Alaska and Hawaii would
both have this program and that the Alaska National Guard
(AKNG) was very grateful.
MAJOR GENERAL COX then introduced JOHN FLEMING, Director of
the AKNG Youth Corps, to explain the program.
Number 049
JOHN FLEMING stated that he appreciated the opportunity to
speak to the committee about the AKNG Youth Challenge
Program. He stated that the National Guard has undertaken
this program for three reasons: (1) the National Guard is
in over 4000 communities nationwide and the Guard members
have an interest in these communities; (2) the National
Guard excels in training people; and (3) all military
members take an oath to protect, defend, and uphold the U.S.
Constitution from enemies, domestic or foreign. He then
stated that two of the largest domestic enemies were
ignorance and indolence and through this program the
National Guard can help the health of the country and its
youth.
COLONEL FLEMING explained that the Challenge program was an
outgrowth of a study by the Rockefeller Foundation in 1989
with the idea that something could be done for high school
dropouts by adding structure and discipline along with
community service projects to their lives. He described the
criteria that a youngster must meet before they can be
accepted into the program: (1) they must be between the
ages of 16 and 18; (2) they have to be drug free upon
entrance; (3) they have to be free of any legal impediments;
(4) they cannot be convicted felons; (5) they must be
dropouts from the public school system; (6) they must be
unemployed in a life setting career; (7) they have to be
physically and mentally able to withstand the rigors of the
program; and (8) they have to be volunteers in the program.
Number 086
COLONEL FLEMING stated that the program will begin in
Anchorage at Camp Caroll on Sunday, January 30, 1994. He
said that these youngsters will be in the program for 22
weeks, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. He said that the
youth will be living in renovated barracks. He then stated
that the youth would be prepared for the GED test, though
they will not be required to take the test, and taught a
regular high school curriculum. The youth will also have
the option of going after a high school diploma at their
home high school. He stated that the program would attempt
to get credits for the youth's work during the program and
then they could take these credits back to their home high
school to work towards their diploma. He said that the
program will bring in speakers to discuss various vocational
fields available in Alaska and that the youth will be taken
to a career center for exposure to eight different
disciplines including carpentry, masonry, electronics, auto
mechanics, small engine maintenance, computer science,
greenhouse and cosmetology. He stated that on weekends the
youngsters will be involved with community service projects.
The youngsters will be matched up with community service
groups who need help with various projects. He explained
that the youth would work with these groups for two reasons:
1) to get in the spirit of volunteerism; and 2) to get the
positive feeling of helping someone who is needy. He stated
that the youth would also be taught life-coping skills such
as personal cleanliness, CPR and the evils of smoking,
drinking, drugs, etc.
Number 128
COLONEL FLEMING stated that two programs will be held every
year, the first starting on January 30 and graduating on
June 30; the second one will start July 24 and will end just
before Christmas and then this cycle will be repeated in
1995. He stated that these youngsters will be partnered
with a mentor for 12 to 18 months after they complete the
residential portion of the program. These mentors will make
sure that these youngsters stay focused on the goals that
they set for themselves in the program and also will be
there to help them with their problems.
COLONEL FLEMING said there are 91 or 92 students in the
starting program and directed the committee's attention to a
handout that showed where these youngsters are coming from.
He stated that there are 25 locations around the state from
where these youth were recruited and they have missed some
key locations, but will try harder to recruit from these
communities next time. Colonel Fleming then stated that
currently signed up for the program there are 14 male
Alaskan Natives, eight female Alaskan Natives, five male
Afro-Americans, two Asian-Americans, one Hispanic and the
rest are Caucasian. He also noted that there are 16 girls
total in the program and that they would be residing in a
separate barracks than the males. He said they have a staff
of 40 with different ethnic backgrounds. He said some of
these youth have some severe emotional problems and so there
is a professional counselor on staff to provide help if
needed. Colonel Fleming then said he would answer any
questions.
Number 153
REPRESENTATIVE BRICE asked if they were going to have two
camps a year.
COLONEL FLEMING replied that they were.
REPRESENTATIVE BRICE asked if the program would actually
administer the GED test or if they would provide information
on where to take the test.
COLONEL FLEMING replied that the program has applied to
become a GED testing site and he has been told by the State
Department of Education in Juneau that this would probably
be granted soon enough so that the first class would be able
to test on-site.
REPRESENTATIVE BRICE asked what would happen if a student
successfully completed the program and wanted to join the
military, or if there was any connection with this program
and joining the National Guard permanently.
COLONEL FLEMING answered that this program is not designed
as a recruiting program for the military or the National
Guard and noted that some of these youth would not be
eligible because of their experiences with drugs. Colonel
Fleming said that the program is designed to help at-risk
youth, but they would exposed to the military, and if these
are options that they want to pursue then they pursue them.
Number 171
COLONEL FLEMING stated that success in the program is
defined by passing the GED or getting a high school diploma
and getting through all 22 weeks of the program. Any
youngster who accomplishes this will be entitled to a $2200
grant or stipend which they could use for higher education
purposes. He said this grant could be used for college,
vocational training, or job related expenses. Colonel
Fleming also stated that these funds would be distributed
through the program.
Number 178
REPRESENTATIVE BRICE asked what kind of outreach the
National Guard has done with dealing with the DFYS or
various school districts around the state about this
program.
COLONEL FLEMING replied that they included flyers in the
annual elementary and high school principals conference; he
spoke about it at the DIA conference; and Governor Hickel
announced it at the AFN conference. He also said he had
personally visited communities around the state to speak to
juvenile justice officers, high school officials, counselors
and Native groups about the program. He stated it was very
easy to sell to the adults in these communities, but
difficult to the youths themselves. He also stated that
they have approximately 100 youths in the program that have
been screened by the adults in their communities to make
sure they are in the program for the right reasons.
Number 193
CHAIR MULDER asked what the capacity of the program was.
COLONEL FLEMING answered that they could house about 130
students, but due to budget changes by the National Guard,
they could probably not afford more than 100 students.
MAJOR GENERAL COX stated that the concept of the program is
that federal funding will hopefully be sustained for three
years, after which state and local government, businesses
and municipalities will begin to sponsor the program. He
noted that the Municipality of Anchorage has already donated
$20,000 to the program without the National Guard even
asking for it.
Number 206
REPRESENTATIVE BRICE asked how much it cost for each student
to go through the program.
COLONEL FLEMING replied that the average is just over
$14,000 per student. He noted that as Major General Cox
pointed out, it can cost $70,000 to incarcerate someone for
a year and it was the objective of this program to make
these students become volunteers, responsible citizens, and
be tax payers, not tax users.
Number 211
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked what the typical day would be like.
COLONEL FLEMING replied that these kids would be in a
military style uniform. He stated that they would learn how
to care for this uniform and learn how to march. He said
that they would awake at 6:00 a.m., then have a few minutes
to clean their quarters, attend a flag raising ceremony and
then eat breakfast. He said they would then go to class
during the morning and early afternoon with a lunch break.
He said they would go to the career center for vocational
training three days a week. The youth will spend late
afternoon doing some sort of athletics and physical training
and then have a short time of independent study. In the
evening they will be allowed some personal time and they go
to bed at 10:00 p.m. Colonel Fleming told the committee
that the youths will not be allowed to smoke while they are
in the program and that the staff would not be allowed to
smoke while they are on Ft. Richardson.
Number 235
REPRESENTATIVE BRICE asked if smoking included chewing
tobacco.
COLONEL FLEMING replied yes.
Number 236
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked if there was any way that the
students could quit the program.
COLONEL FLEMING replied that the program was "volunteer-in"
and "volunteer-out," but any youngster that wants to quit
must speak to their assistant team leader, their team
leader, the counselor, and then to him. He stated that by
then they hoped to convince the youth that they were making
a mistake. Colonel Fleming also noted that the program
would give the youth $15 per week for spending money to help
teach money management skills. He said that National Bank
of Alaska had volunteered to set up free checking accounts
for the participants.
SENATOR LEMAN asked how the staff and faculty were selected.
COLONEL FLEMING replied that the staff numbered about 40
people and they were regarded as temporary state employees
due to the fact the program was federally funded through the
state. He said that they required that every employee be in
uniform, so it was as close to military as possible. He
stated that there are 19 members who are members of the
Alaska Army National Guard, seven members who are Air
National Guard members, one member of the Navy reserve, and
they are currently actively recruiting for a member of the
Marine reserve. He stated that there are six retired
military members, including himself, and seven members of
the Alaska State Defense Force. These members are people
who had the correct teaching credentials but had no military
experience, so they were placed in the Alaskan State Defense
Force for the program.
Number 270
SENATOR LEMAN noted that programs such as Junior Achievement
have been very successful in tapping volunteers in the
business community, and asked if Colonel Fleming had
considered this, and that he thought that the community
would be eager to help if asked.
COLONEL FLEMING replied that they have and that he is
concerned about homesickness problems for kids who come from
outside of Anchorage. He stated that these kids will have
very little contact with their parents throughout the course
of the program. He said that after the program gets
started, they would allow the parents to visit the kids on a
Sunday or actually let the kids leave the base halfway
through the program. He stated that they have asked for
volunteers in the community who would act as host families
for the kids who live outside of Anchorage. He stated they
had also asked the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and other
businesses to find people who would volunteer to become
speakers, mentors or host families.
Number 291
CHAIR MULDER noted for the record that SENATOR LEMAN and
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT had joined them. Chair Mulder then
asked if there was any further questions for Colonel
Fleming.
Number 293
CHAIR MULDER stated that Major General Cox had provided the
opportunity for legislators to tour National Guard
facilities in the state last fall. He noted that it was a
great learning experience to see what the National Guard
provides in rural Alaska as opposed to its mission in the
urban areas of the state. He also commended Colonel Fleming
and Major General Cox for a program that provides structure
and discipline to some youngsters who need it.
Number 304
CHAIR MULDER noted the presence of NORM ANDERSON of King
Salmon on teleconference and informed him that he would be
able to listen to the meeting only. Chair Mulder also
introduced PAT COX, wife of Major General Cox, to the
committee. Chair Mulder asked Major General Cox to address
the committee on the next topic and introduced MAJOR KEITH
OINSTED.
MAJOR GENERAL COX stated that MAJOR KEITH OINSTED has been
the project officer on the King Salmon project. Major
General Cox said that he realized the committee had probably
heard that the Alaska Air National Guard would be taking
over the operation of the King Salmon Air Base for the 11th
Air Force. He said the 11th Air Force has operated an Air
Defense Alert facility at King Salmon with approximately 300
people for as long as he could remember. He stated there is
a large radar site located there that continues to be used
by the FAA and the Air Force. This operation plan was
developed from the desire to close bases with some utility,
but still keep them ready to become operational on short
notice. He said the base would be able to receive aircraft
during certain times of bad weather or emergency, or if an
air defense threat should occur to the U.S. and Alaska, then
it could be brought up to full operational status very
quickly. Major General Cox stated that the concept is that
the Air National Guard will operate the base for these
reasons for the 11th Air Force, other air forces, or other
Air National Guard or Army National Guard to utilize for
exercise purposes. He said that the Air National Guard will
be maintaining all facilities with the exception of the
radar, which is contracted to the Martin Marietta
Corporation. He said that they will maintain fire
protection capability, dining facilities for workers at the
station and billeting facilities for those who live there.
Number 386
MAJOR GENERAL COX stated that presently there are 14
civilian federal employees at King Salmon Base who will be
given hiring preference for similar functions for the state
and the National Guard. He explained there will be three
uniformed Air Guard supervisory personnel on-site and a
combination of approximately 40 state and contractor
employees. He said this plan will be 100% federally funded
and the money will be funneled to state from the 11th Air
Force. Major General Cox also noted that Local 71 would be
working very closely with the National Guard to hire people
from the King Salmon and the Naknek area. He said they were
discussing the possibility of sending a publicity team to go
out to the Naknek area to explain the application process
for local residents. He said the National Guard would like
to contract for the maintenance of the facility as much as
possible. Major General Cox stated that they are still
working the details out with the 11th Air Force and they
were planning to take over on October 1, 1994. He then said
that he would be happy to answer any questions.
Number 424
SENATOR LEMAN asked, if an extra capacity for maintenance
operations is developed in King Salmon, would there be any
personnel available for Nome?
MAJOR GENERAL COX answered that the idea is to create a
workforce that is adequate for the operation at King Salmon.
He said there are state maintenance personnel in Anchorage
that they send all over the state on a periodic schedule.
He stated that if need be, the personnel in King Salmon
could be available, but any maintenance on other buildings
would be performed by the maintenance technicians already in
Anchorage.
CHAIR MULDER asked if there were any environmental concerns
at King Salmon.
MAJOR GENERAL COX replied that there were some problems on
the Barrow Bluffs. He said the National Guard does not have
any responsibility for these problems; the Air Force still
owns the facility and the National Guard is only operating
it for them. He said the 11th Air Force has a contractor
there already working on the problem.
Number 465
CHAIR MULDER commended Major General Cox for working with
the unions and the Native groups on local hiring
possibilities and also noted that this would be 50 new jobs
that will be funded by the federal government, which is a
good boost for the state economy.
(TAPE MALFUNCTION: continuing testimony is from committee
secretary's notes.)
JEFF MORRISON said that the budget numbers are not available
due to the fact that details are still being finalized with
the 11th Air Force. He said the DMVA will try and submit
these with the budget amendments in early March 1994.
CO-CHAIR FOSTER said there are a number of National Guard
Armories that are closing in his district. He asked if any
of these closing buildings or their equipment would be
available for use by the local communities.
MAJOR GENERAL COX answered that he did not know for sure at
this time. He explained that some of these buildings are
removable, but trying to move these buildings is cost
prohibitive from these sites. He said that he would keep
the committee informed.
MAJOR GENERAL COX said that he and other DMVA
representatives would like to meet with the committee in
early February before the budget subcommittee process begins
to discuss budget issues for the DMVA.
CHAIR MULDER indicated that the committee would welcome
them. There being no further testimony, Chair Mulder
adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m.
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