Legislature(2013 - 2014)CAPITOL 120
03/05/2013 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR5 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HCR 5 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
March 5, 2013
1:07 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair
Representative Pete Higgins
Representative Lora Reinbold
Representative Max Gruenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Co-Chair
Representative Shelley Hughes
Representative Dan Saddler
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5
Relating to awarding the Alaska Decoration of Honor to certain
members of the military.
- MOVED HCR 5 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HCR 5
SHORT TITLE: DECORATION OF HONOR
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SADDLER
02/27/13 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/27/13 (H) MLV
03/05/13 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
WITNESS REGISTER
KIM SKIPPER, Staff
Representative Dan Saddler
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HCR 5 on behalf of
Representative Saddler, sponsor.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:07:41 PM
CO-CHAIR NEAL FOSTER called the House Special Committee on
Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 1:07 p.m.
Representatives Reinbold, Gruenberg, Higgins, and Foster were
present at the call to order.
HCR 5-DECORATION OF HONOR
1:08:20 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER announced that the only order of business would
be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5, Relating to awarding the
Alaska Decoration of Honor to certain members of the military.
1:08:35 PM
KIM SKIPPER, staff to Representative Dan Saddler, Alaska State
Legislature, informed the committee HCR 5 awards the Alaska
Decoration of Honor to nine military service members killed in
the line of duty between 1/1/12 and 12/31/12. The Alaska
Decoration of Honor was established in 2007 by the legislature
to posthumously honor individuals - from Alaska or deployed
while stationed in Alaska - who were killed in action or in
support of combat action. This medal is presented to the
families of the service members. The legislature must authorize
the award by resolution and has done so since 2008. Dating back
to statehood, 232 men and women have been awarded the
Declaration of Honor. House Concurrent Resolution 5 will award
another nine service members with the Alaska Decoration of Honor
and authorize their families to receive this decoration on
behalf of their loved ones who sacrificed for our state and
country. She said the cost of freedom is borne by men and women
who risk and sometimes lose their lives in service. The
recipients in 2012 are as follows: Dustin P. Napier, Jeffrey L.
White, Jr., Thomas K. Fogarty, Brian L. Walker, Richard L.
McNulty, Vincent J. Ellis, Nathan T. Davis, Carl E. Hammar, and
Ethan J. Martin.
1:11:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated statute requires that the
legislature pass a concurrent resolution to award the honor. He
asked whether there are any other awards that require a
concurrent resolution, because it seems to be an unnecessary
step; in fact, if the Legislative Affairs Agency could issue the
award, the award would not be delayed by a year. He suggested
streamlining the process of the resolution by deleting AS
26.05.342(c).
MS. SKIPPER was unsure of any other awards. She said she would
look into a possible change.
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS asked if the state militia is included in
the list of service organizations.
MS. SKIPPER was unsure; however, the award covers service back
to statehood, which includes the Korean War.
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD asked whether the branch of service is
identified.
MS. SKIPPER said she did not know whether there would be a
decoration ceremony as the last one was held in 2007. Letters
will be sent to family members with the medals.
1:15:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIGGINS clarified the Alaska Territorial Guard
served in World War II and became the Alaska State Defense Force
before statehood. He said he would like to honor any eligible
members of those services.
MS. SKIPPER offered to refer this suggestion to the sponsor.
CO-CHAIR FOSTER expressed his belief that the passage of a
concurrent resolution gives members of the legislature an
opportunity to respect and recognize the recipients.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG suggested that after the awards are
issued to families, the awards would be recorded in a concurrent
resolution. He expressed his concern about the wait for the
families and noted the therapeutic effect of closure.
MS. SKIPPER advised that locating the families can be difficult.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG agreed, adding that a longer wait
exacerbates this situation.
1:19:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD restated her question about recognition
for the branch of service that recipients served, and suggested
that a memorial in the Capitol would be appropriate.
MS. SKIPPER took note of her suggestion.
1:20:56 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:20 p.m. to 1:22 p.m.
1:22:42 PM
MS. SKIPPER explained that in order for the Alaska Decoration of
Honor to be awarded this year the resolution must pass both
bodies and be signed by the governor this session.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG withdrew his request.
1:23:28 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER, upon determining that no one wished to testify,
closed public testimony.
1:23:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD moved to report HCR 5 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, HCR 5 was reported out of the
House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
1:24:18 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at 1:24 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HCR005A.pdf |
HMLV 3/5/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HCR 5 |
| HCR 5 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HMLV 3/5/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HCR 5 |
| HCR5 3-5-13.php.pdf |
HMLV 3/5/2013 1:00:00 PM |
HCR 5 |