Legislature(1995 - 1996)
01/30/1995 05:10 PM House MLV
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
January 30, 1995
5:10 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Pete Kott, Co-Chairman
Representative Ivan Ivan, Co-Chairman
Representative Eldon Mulder, Vice Chairman
Representative Richard Foster
Representative John Davies
Representative Ed Willis
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Gail Phillips
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
* HCR 5:Commemorating the attack on Pearl Harbor by
establishing Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE
(*First public hearing )
WITNESS REGISTER
None
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HCR 5
SHORT TITLE: PEARL HARBOR REMEMBERANCE DAY
SPONSOR(S): SPECIAL CMTE MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/23/95 115 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
01/23/95 115 (H) MLV
01/30/95 (H) MLV AT 05:00 PM CAPITOL ROOM 17
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 95-1, SIDE A
Number 003
The House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs was
called to order by CO-CHAIRMAN PETE KOTT at 5:10 p.m. Members
present at the call to order were Representatives Ivan, Mulder,
Foster, Davies and Willis. Absent member was Representative
Phillips.
Number 038
CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT commented that there hadn't been a committee
organization meeting as of yet. He said he would try to schedule
it for next week if possible.
Number 045
HMLV - 01/30/95
HCR 5 - PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY
CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT introduced HCR 5 (Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day).
He said Sunday, December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack
against the United States forces located at Pearl Harbor and nearby
military facilities. This attack came without warning and without
a declaration of war. Over 2,000 Americans were killed, and many
others suffered grievous injuries. A major portion of the United
States Pacific Fleet was decimated, leaving many other Americans in
the Pacific exposed to attack and capture.
Japan's action on this date ushered in our involvement in World War
II. Thereafter, for over four years, the United States was engaged
in a great global conflict, marked by the unimaginable suffering of
untold millions, both military and civilian. The lives of an
entire generation were disrupted, and many still bear scars from
this conflict.
Over 50 years have elapsed since the attack on Pearl Harbor. Those
Americans who were then old enough to remember that day are aging,
and many are no longer with us. Someday, that generation will be
gone, and no one will be available to bear witness to that pivotal
event in our history.
As a people, we can not afford to forget what happened. Lessons
were learned which remain relevant to this day. Suffering was
endured for our freedom, and this cries out for recognition. Blood
was spilled by a heroic generation so that we, today, can enjoy
freedom. It would be a sacrilege to fail to acknowledge our
continuing debt to the who gave so much to us.
Accordingly, it is proper-- indeed, necessary-- to continually
remind ourselves, and future generations, of the events of December
7, 1941. HCR 5 does just that, by designating that day as Pearl
Harbor Day and calling on the Governor to issue and appropriate
proclamation. Your support is appreciated.
Number 093
REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD FOSTER stated that resolutions like this
were good ones. He also wanted to know what it would take so we
wouldn't have to bring this before committee every year because the
number of veterans in the House and Senate was dwindling, and he
was afraid there wouldn't be enough push to get it through in
following years.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT thought it would take a bill.
REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD FOSTER suggested introducing one.
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT stated that if it was the will of the
committee, that would be fine. He commented that he had a
constituent notify the office that would've liked to have seen
this, a statute calling upon the state to recognize it as a state
holiday.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES also felt it would be a fine idea to
make this an annual event but felt it would take another step to
make it a state holiday because of the financial implications, and
the fact that there's other events in history that would warrant
making them holidays also.
Number 132
CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT agreed with Representative Davies. To make this
a bill, we would have to re-draft this and bring it back before the
committee. At this point we would have to table this resolution.
Number 147
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER pointed out that the committee could keep
this going as a committee sponsored resolution. He then moved to
pass HCR 5 out of committee, with unanimous consent. He followed
that up with a motion that they sponsor a bill to make this a
yearly event.
CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT addressed the first motion to move HCR 5 out of
the Military and Veteran Affairs Committee. He asked, "is there
unanimous consent?" Hearing no objection, it was so moved. The
second motion was to tie this measure into statute and make it an
annual event. There was no objection to this motion,
Representative Kott indicated that a bill would be requested and
brought to committee.
Number 112
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT asked if there was any further business.
Number 180
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER brought up the idea that there might possibly
be a meeting during the interim, whether it be inspecting the rural
guard facility in Nome or Kotzebue. Maybe something on the base
closure getting a briefing in Fairbanks or somewhere down here in
between sessions.
Number 191
REPRESENTATIVE ED WILLIS concurred and described a tour they went
on years ago that took them all over the state, and stated this was
a very informative trip.
Number 201
REPRESENTATIVE KOTT felt that there was something underway to have
the committee meet in Ketchikan or somewhere in southeast to tour
a submarine.
Number 213
CO-CHAIRMAN IVAN IVAN supported this plan to have the committee
meet somewhere other than Juneau, because it gives veterans in
other parts of the state the opportunity to see the legislators and
talk with them, and it gives the legislators the opportunity to see
some of the conditions in rural Alaska, so we can better understand
what goes on with our military veterans in the bush.
Number 231
REPRESENTATIVE ELDON MULDER referred to something they had done in
past years which was to invite the commanders of the Air Force and
the Army down to make presentations. He suggested the
Representative Kott's staff contact them and invite them down.
Number 243
CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT thought that was an excellent idea in light of the
new commanding general taking over. It's important that we develop
a good relationship.
Number 252
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER wondered if they would consider inviting
General Lestenkof so they could talk about the downturn with the
guard membership, also the problem with trying to match his budget
with the federal dollars coming in. He said he would like to talk
to him before the session gets to far underway that we all might be
too busy.
Number 262
CO-CHAIRMAN IVAN stated that February 15, 1995, had been set for
his presentation.
REPRESENTATIVE MULDER stated that the commander of Alaska Command
was General Larry Bosey and the commander of the army is General
Tom Needham. Representative Mulder said his office has their phone
numbers if need.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the House Special
Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Co-Chairman Kott
adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m.
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