02/04/2003 08:00 AM House STA
| Audio | Topic |
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 4, 2003
8:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bruce Weyhrauch, Chair
Representative James Holm, Vice Chair
Representative Nancy Dahlstrom
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Ethan Berkowitz
Representative Max Gruenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Mike Hawker
Representative Carl Gatto
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING
Commissioner, Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs
Brigadier General Craig E. Campbell - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
HOUSE BILL NO. 45
"An Act adding a second verse to the official Alaska state
song."
- MOVED HB 45 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 45
SHORT TITLE:SECOND VERSE OF ALASKA'S STATE SONG
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S)WEYHRAUCH
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
01/21/03 0043 (H) PREFILE RELEASED (1/10/03)
01/21/03 0043 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME -
REFERRALS
01/21/03 0043 (H) CRA, STA
01/29/03 0089 (H) COSPONSOR(S): MORGAN
01/30/03 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 124
01/30/03 (H) Moved Out of Committee
01/30/03 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
01/31/03 0099 (H) CRA RPT 6DP
01/31/03 0099 (H) DP: KOOKESH, CISSNA, SAMUELS,
01/31/03 0099 (H) ANDERSON, CHENAULT, MORGAN
01/31/03 0100 (H) FN1: ZERO(UA)
01/31/03 0106 (H) COSPONSOR(S): ANDERSON,
JOULE, CISSNA,
01/31/03 0106 (H) KERTTULA, STEVENS, SEATON
02/03/03 0120 (H) COSPONSOR(S): MOSES, WILSON,
HARRIS
02/04/03 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 102
WITNESS REGISTER
BRIGADIER GENERAL CRAIG E. CAMPBELL, Adjutant General/
Commissioner
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs
Fort Richardson, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointed adjutant
general/commissioner of the Department of Military & Veterans'
Affairs
CONSTANCE DAVIS
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the daughter of the author of
the proposed second verse to the Alaska state song, during
testimony on HB 45.
J. ALLAN MACKINNON
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of adopting the second
verse of the Alaska state song during testimony on HB 45.
TERI TIBBIT, Staff
to Representative Max Gruenberg
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sang the Alaska state song, including the
proposed second verse, during testimony on HB 45.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 03-03, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIR BRUCE WEYHRAUCH called the House State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Representatives Holm,
Seaton, Gruenberg, and Weyhrauch were present at the call to
order. Representatives Dahlstrom, Lynn, and Berkowitz arrived
as the meeting was in progress. Other legislators present were
Representatives Hawker and Gatto.
CONFIRMATION HEARING
Commissioner, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs
Number 0052
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH announced the first order of business, the
confirmation hearing on the appointment of Brigadier General
Craig E. Campbell as adjutant general/commissioner of the
Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA).
Number 0103
BRIGADIER GENERAL CRAIG E. CAMPBELL, Adjutant
General/Commissioner, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs
(DMVA), in response to a request for clarification by Chair
Weyhrauch, explained that his promotion to general was given by
the governor; it's a state promotion, pending the federal
recognition process, which started this week. The star on his
uniform signifies his title. He explained that he wears two
hats. The DMVA has both the National Guard and "the civilian
side, which is homeland security." Monday through Friday, he
acts as a state employee in the commissioner's role, although he
wears his uniform and is addressed as "general." On the
weekends, he said, he acts as a general in charge of the Alaska
National Guard.
Number 0251
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL referred to his resume [included in
the committee packet]. He said he has been an Alaskan resident
since 1981, and was assigned on active duty as a captain in air
traffic control at Elmendorf Air Force Base. When his three
years were up, he requested that he be allowed to stay in Alaska
- a request which was not granted. He left the military because
he loved Alaska.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL said he joined the California [Air
National] Guard because there was no guard based in Alaska in
his field of air traffic control. He added that there still
isn't today. He commuted from Eagle River, Alaska, to Hayward,
California, for seven years, paying for his own airfare, hotel,
and rental car costs.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL said that when the [168th Air
Refueling Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska] was activated in
1986, he started looking at the ability to have a home in the
guard in Alaska. An opening became available at Eielson [Air
Force Base] eventually. He served for many years in several
positions, including [logistics] squadron commander and
executive support staff officer to the commander.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL noted that he spent one year at the
Naval War College. He said, "It excited me to the point that I
wanted to expand my education on military affairs." He noted
that he volunteered for the U.S. Navy and was accepted. After
completion of that, he served as the executive support [staff]
officer for the Alaska Air National Guard [1999-2000]. He said
that the job penultimate to his present one was as vice-
commander of the 168th wing, where he proudly served for 2.5
years with Commander Colonel Tim Scott.
Number 0483
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL turned to his second point, regarding
why he wants [to be confirmed as] general. He stated that after
27.5 years in the military, he thinks he has done well in his
career and that "Alaska has some quality soldiers and airmen in
the officer corps." He reminded the committee that in the last
20 years or so, about half of the adjutant generals for the
State of Alaska have not been from the Alaska National Guard,
but have come from the active-duty U.S. Army or the active-duty
U.S. Air Force unit. Brigadier General Campbell stated that
that always concerned him, because he always felt that "having
to ... take your senior leader from outside of the Alaska
National Guard [sends] a message to those in the Alaska National
Guard that they don't have the qualifications or capabilities to
be the leader of their own organizations."
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL continued as follows:
Traditionally, this is a purple-type operation, [a
mixture of] Army green, Air Force blue, [and] Navy
brown. The color mixes together, because you're not
representing just your component, you're representing
all the military components in the state. So,
traditionally, it's gone between green and blue -
between the Army National Guard and the Air National
Guard. The last two adjutant generals have both been
from the Army National Guard. So I really believe
that this time was an opportunity: if the Air
National Guard had qualified candidates, ... they
ought to put their applications in and ask to be
considered.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL said that the aforementioned reasons
prompted his decision to apply.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL stated that his reasons for wanting
to be adjutant general, in regard to specific issues, center
around the fact that his military training [taught] him that he
wants to know what his directive is before he marches out under
orders. He told the committee that the DMVA web page does not
show a strategic plan. Furthermore, he challenged all of the
committee members to "look right now, and see if you can find a
strategic plan for DMVA in the National Guard." He noted that
the last [strategic plan] was initiated by [Major General Jake]
Lestenkof approximately eight years ago and never came to
fruition.
Number 0701
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL stated, "Without a strategic plan, we
don't know where we're going." He said that in his civilian
capacity, he was an airport planner for approximately 15 years,
including work in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Fairbanks, among other
places in Alaska. He said that that discipline taught him the
importance of having a plan "that's real." He stated that he
feels his strength is [to be able] to begin giving direction
through strategic planning.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL noted another reason [for his
interest in the position] is in regard to the challenges. He
said that [Major General] Oates [his predecessor] told him that
two issues he will have to face will make his job even more
challenging: homeland security and the budget. Brigadier
General Campbell told the committee that he is here today to say
that he understands those challenges and wants to be the
adjutant general and the commissioner of DMVA.
Number 0808
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL continued as follows:
For those of you who may not be aware, we have
reorganized, and part of the first actions we've
[taken] to try to help us with the budget process, as
well as the strategic plan order of control, is to
decentralize the organization. Prior to my coming on
board, it was a very linear organization; Major
General Oates had most of the divisions reporting
directly to him. We've changed that in our
reorganization. I've made it very vertical. I have
the deputy commissioners responsible for the
administrative side. And I have, basically, two
columns: one for the civilian homeland security
emergency services, the other for the National Guard
that reports to me. I think that's going to help me
with my span of control and doing your job
effectively.
Number 0880
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL indicated that there are 4,000
employees, part-time and full-time. In closing, he listed his
priorities as follows: homeland security; recruiting and
retention; missile defense; transforming the National Guard; and
serving veterans - primarily to resolve the veterans' home
issue.
Number 0926
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated that he thinks it is important
[to recognize] a group in need composed of baby boomer veterans
who are not seniors and wouldn't have need of [an Alaska
Pioneers'] Home. He said that some of them have Gulf War
disease, some are Vietnam veterans, and some are veterans of
other campaigns, or perhaps peacetime veterans. He added, "And
I would hope that these people don't get left behind."
Number 0999
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL responded that, after 27.5 years in
"this uniform," he has a passion for the support and care of
"all who have served and are serving today." He stated that he
thinks one of the good things that DMVA has done in the last few
years is the establishment of the [position of Special
Assistant, Office of Veteran Affairs, Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs]. He noted that Laddie Shaw, who will be
leaving later this month, currently holds the position, and he
stated his commitment to bring in another individual later this
year to [fill the position]. Brigadier General Campbell said
that every person's need resulting from service to his/her
country [must] be addressed. He stated his intent to take great
interest in "providing for all possible abilities to discuss
with the veterans' community what we should be doing to help
facilitate." He reminded the committee that the veterans'
programs are primarily federal; the [DMVA] is mostly a conduit
to help ensure that "the right individuals and the right
organizations are attached to the right services."
Number 1084
REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ said that emergency response is part of
DMVA's responsibility. He asked Brigadier General Campbell why
he did not name that in his list of priorities.
Number 1114
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL thanked Representative Berkowitz and
admitted fault in not mentioning that. He stated that emergency
services is one of the primary roles of DMVA. He said that [the
department] has hired a new assistant commissioner who will
"oversee the new civilian vertical organization, which is
homeland security and emergency services." He said that
reorganization will allow the department to "move some of the
assets between the two separate divisions" [the Office of
Homeland Security and the Division of Emergency Services] so
that they will operate more efficiently. He told the committee
that the department has just "done an administrative order
that's bringing over five individuals from other departments to
support the homeland security side."
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL explained that the department is
looking to meld homeland security and emergency services. He
explained that it will be irrelevant at the moment of a call
whether the emergency is an earthquake or an anthrax [scare],
for example. A team will be prepared to respond to the
emergency. Then, once the emergency is identified, one or the
other of the two divisions will pick up the responsibility of
handling the emergency. He said that this approach is different
from what has been done in the past where the two divisions were
divided. The assistant commissioner will facilitate the synergy
between the two [divisions].
Number 1221
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON stated that he is pleased with Brigadier
General Campbell's commitment to Alaska.
Number 1243
REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ asked Brigadier General Campbell if he
has "put together a scenario" whereby he could withstand a 5- or
10-percent cut without compromising the mission [of the
department].
Number 1263
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL responded that the Office of
Management & Budget (OMB) is still compiling "where we're
heading with what the final budget numbers will look like";
however, he stated that he is comfortable that he will be able
to provide the services needed with the budget that he submitted
to OMB. He added that in that budget "we are looking for
adjustments," and he said that he thinks that it is his
responsibility to make certain the reorganization is properly
funded. He said he will be able to do a good job if OMB
approves the budget he requested.
REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ asked if the budget request of the
department is for the same, more, or less than last year's
budget.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL answered that he did not ask for last
year's budget. He mentioned adjustments and said he would agree
that there should be some cuts. He explained that he took the
job as a fiscal conservative [who] believes that "we should ...
do only what is required." He stated that the primary pillars
of the government, for which his department is responsible, are
safety and security, so he has made some recommendations for
adjusting funds to cover areas that would enhance homeland
security. He said, "It could end up being about the same, but
there could be some additions matched by deletions." He
explained that he thinks the existing budget for 2003 was not
allocated properly for the services needed.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL stated that he is not coming forward
with any supplementary requests for personnel costs for 2003,
which he said is what instigated his thinking that he needed to
make internal adjustments, rather than come to the legislature
to ask for money. He said the way that the 2003 budget was put
together and executed for the first six months of the year has
caused a deficit resulting in "a fairly high vacancy factor."
He added, "And I'm going to do that deliberately." He explained
that he wants his division managers and others in the department
to understand that, if a budget is passed, they have to live
within that budget.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL specified that he would ask for
additional funding for disasters that happen.
Number 1449
REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ stated that it's been the [legislative]
majority's practice over the last couple of years not to fund a
disaster until it's supplemental. He said, "It's one of those
budgetary shell games."
Number 1460
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM noted that he is a member of "the employers'
support of the guard and reserve." He asked Brigadier General
Campbell what his ideas for recruiting and community involvement
are.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL reiterated that recruiting and
retention is one of the highest priorities, which he said he
will address in more detail during an upcoming overview. He
stated, "There's pressure with the civilian side for jobs and,
since half of our force is part-time in the National Guard, when
they ... find that they can make more money and have their
weekends off and get personal satisfaction by not being in the
military, I find that discouraging." He said that he wants the
military to provide options that attract people to the military,
whether it's educational benefits, skill training, or getting a
college degree, for example.
Number 1537
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL stated that the department will do
"something different" on the Air National Guard side. He
referred again to Colonel Tim Scott, a new brigadier general
selectee, who is currently in the Middle East and will become
the new air commander for the Air National Guard upon his
return. Colonel Scott will be based out of Fairbanks.
Brigadier General Campbell opined that one of the problems [the
department] has had is being too centered in Anchorage, so that
some of the other areas of the state have felt disenfranchised.
A general officer in Fairbanks will have more ability to work
with ESGR [Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve], the
Chamber of Commerce, and the business community to make sure "we
do what's right for the guard members, to serve the civilian
community and still be members of the guard."
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL challenged the International Guard to
"look at why only Fairbanks and Anchorage are where we have
bases." He noted that there are smaller operations in the "Army
Guard" in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Western Alaska, and some
aviation in Bethel and Nome. He said a mission requirement is
necessary to "lead us to putting some equipment and some
missions outside of Anchorage and Fairbanks." He stated that he
thinks this is possible, but is not committing today to do it.
Number 1641
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN indicated a situation he had heard about
where classified information that came to [the department] from
"the federal side" had been previously withheld from the
administration. He asked Brigadier General Campbell to comment
on that.
Number 1672
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL responded that it probably is the
result of homeland security and of civilians' need to know
classified information. He noted that traditionally, military
people had security clearances and responded to security
activities. He said, "With this changing world, I think it's
imperative that the civilian chain of commands, specifically
through the executive branch, be available ... at least up to
the secret level information, which is the majority of
information on terrorism, threats, and that type of information
that's out there." He stated that [the department] has already
instituted a program to get security clearances for many of the
senior staff in the governor's office who would have a need to
know, so that they can provide the governor with information, in
order that he/she can make the right decisions on whether or not
to activate "the force."
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN indicated possibilities of having a U.S.
Coast Guard ROTC [Reserve Officers' Training Corps@ at the
University of Alaska Southeast, in Juneau, and a Junior Coast
Guard ROTC at Juneau-Douglas High School. He asked Brigadier
General Campbell for his comments.
Number 1726
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL replied that the U.S. Coast Guard has
recently been realigned into the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, which is a change from its previous alignment with the
[U.S.] Department of Transportation. He stated that the Army,
Air National Guard, and Navy, for example, are all aligned under
the [U.S.] Department of Defense, which is where he said the
National Guard and Reserve authorities come from. However, he
stated that he does not think that that should be a limiting
factor for Alaska to "outreach" to the [U.S.] Department of
Homeland Security to work more closely with the Coast Guard to
provide programs that are vital to the state.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL noted that the Coast Guard in Alaska
plays the role of the Navy; there is not a large Navy
contingency in Alaska. In addition, Admiral [James W.]
Underwood is the senior naval officer, representing the Navy
task force in Alaska as a Coast Guard officer. He said, "I
think that sets the stage that opens the door to that
relationship between two different federal departments that
allows us also to be involved with the Coast Guard in
supporting, possibly, an ROTC program or a Junior ROTC program
in this state, which would be unique and different for the Coast
Guard."
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL explained that the Coast Guard
primarily gets its officers through its training in Connecticut
and through sources that aren't traditional ROTC programs. He
said, "So, we'll be approaching that with the Coast Guard, with
the interest of trying to help them and work with them to see if
they would be interested in helping the state of Alaska with
such a program." He added, "We also will be looking to the
Coast Guard to see how our Alaska State Defense Force and our
Alaska Naval Militia may be [of] more use to them."
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL stated that - since the Coast Guard
at the federal level has moved into the [U.S.] Department of
Homeland Security, and [Alaska] now has an Office of Homeland
Security under Assistant Commissioner Sam Johnson - he thinks
it's reasonable to assume that the state should have the Coast
Guard, the Alaska State Defense Force, and the Alaska Naval
Militia integrated into [Assistant Commissioner Johnson's]
operations plan.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL opined that whenever [Assistant
Commissioner Johnson's] division has to activate for
emergencies, regarding any terrorist activity, he should not be
limited by the resources available, but should already have
accessible to him the tools available through the Coast Guard,
Alaska State Defense Force, and [Alaska] Naval Militia. He
indicated that there would be ongoing training and ongoing
integration into operations plans, and he added that [the
department] will be pursuing that. Brigadier General Campbell
stated that he thinks the Coast Guard has a great future in
Alaska, and that [the department] will do what it can to support
[it].
Number 1864
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH asked Brigadier General Campbell for his view
regarding the nation's implementation of homeland security
issues, versus the individual's privacy rights and other
constitutional rights.
Number 1877
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL answered that that is a national
debate that has many sides to it. He stated his belief that the
government has to provide for safety and security within a
state. He said that he does not believe that government should
trample or even infringe significantly on individual rights. He
emphasized that he is "very much an individual rights person."
He stated that the strength of the United States of America has
been individual rights. He noted that there have been other
countries whose individual rights are averted to the point where
government becomes the moral leader of the country, and he
posited that that's probably not a good thing. He said,
"America is formed by the moral leadership of all of us,
together, participating in democracy." He stated his concern
regarding laws being passed that would take away individual
rights. Regarding [the consideration of new laws], he stated
his belief as follows: "When it gets to the point when
individual rights are infringed upon to the point that it takes
away some of the liberties of Americans, ... we probably should
look at another means of doing the business."
Number 1949
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked Brigadier General Campbell to
keep the committee informed if he either formally, or
informally, thinks there are statutory changes necessary.
Number 1964
REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ referred to Brigadier General
Campbell's previous statement regarding extending secret
information to the executive branch. He opined that legislative
leadership should also be kept apprised, especially for the
purposes of checks and balances. He asked Brigadier General
Campbell to "contemplate a mechanism for passing that
information when it's appropriate."
Number 2002
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL stated that he is aware of that
issue. He said that he has already discussed with [Chair
Weyhrauch] holding a separate meeting in the future to brief the
committee on confidential information on terrorist activities
and threat levels, in order to bring the legislative body up [to
date]. He said that the classification system for information
is complicated at the federal level. He listed categories [from
most to least sensitive] as follows: "top secret," which is
divided into separate levels; "secret"; "confidential"; "for
official use only"; "for law enforcement use only"; and
"classified confidential or sensitive." He stated his intent to
ensure that the legislature has all of the information that he
can possibly give to it, short of requiring its members to go
through a process of applying for a "classified 'secret'
classification, unless that's what you desire." He told the
committee that he can share with it law enforcement-sensitive
information, as well as confidential information; however, it
would have to be done in a classified executive session.
Number 2080
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH told the other committee members that he [is
waiting for word from] the attorney general to discuss "what
sort of environment that has to be discussed in."
Number 2091
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN posited that Brigadier General Campbell is a
well-qualified nominee.
Number 2108
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH referred to Brigadier General Campbell's
previously stated comment regarding a lack of a strategic plan.
He asked him to describe his strategic plan for the department.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL offered the following example of a
frustration brought about by lack of a strategic plan:
The Air National Guard side, for three years, was
contemplating ... bringing the C-17 - that new air
lifter - from the Air Force into the Alaska Air
National Guard. We had sent individuals to Jackson,
Mississippi, to learn how the Mississippi Air National
Guard was working that program. We had gone back to
Washington [D.C.]. [U.S.] Senator [Ted] Stevens was
supportive of the C-17 coming into the reserve
component, and he certainly would have been supportive
of it coming to the Air National Guard.
Within the last year, unfortunately, a decision was
made not to take that mission in the Alaska Air
National Guard, and now it's going over to the Air
Force. And it will be at Elmendorf - it's coming to
Alaska. So, it still brings that airframe into this
theatre, which is good for Alaska and good for
America.
The disappointment to the Alaska Air National Guard is
that we were looking at the C-17 as a future mission
that would give us relevancy with the Air Force for
the next 20 [to] 30 years. And that opportunity has
now disappeared; we now have to look for other
opportunities.
Additionally, it has brought the Air Force Reserve
into Anchorage, with another former airframe, and
they're going to be competing for the same recruits
I'm competing for: those weekenders - those people
who work in the civilian community [who] are looking
to join the reserves. And now they'll have two
options: the Air Force Reserve or the National Guard.
It will put additional pressure on a limited
recruiting base in Alaska.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL said that he sees challenges that
have now been created by the C-17's going to the Air Force
reserve. He stated that he is not interested in "readjusting
that issue." However, he has asked the Air National Guard to
consider what would be a new mission that it can [adopt] in the
next few years that brings it relevancy. He said that he does
not want a National Guard that's based on legacy missions and
aircraft and equipment [that make it] become irrelevant.
Number 2215
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL offered the following example:
About 15 [to] 20 years ago, the Air Force decided to
no longer fly the F-4 aircraft, and they gave them all
to the Air National Guard. The Air National Guard
received these aircraft, trained their crews in the F-
4, could not get supplies, could not get any mission
tasking - the Air Force had no need for the F-4 - and
basically the units that had F-4s became irrelevant.
They were struggling to stay alive. The one, such as
in Boise, Idaho, only survived by transferring over to
another airframe, and they finally got the ability to
have another aircraft and built themselves back into
relevancy.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL indicated that a strategic plan will
identify short-term transformation and identify missions for the
next 1-5 years, thereby continuing the relevancy of the National
Guard.
Number 2257
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL stated that he thinks the "Army side"
has a great opportunity. He explained that, from the active-
duty component, it is looking at the striker brigade, which is
going to be stationed in Alaska. He told the committee, "That's
a whole different way of looking at how we go to war." He said
that the striker brigade needs to respond quickly, and it has a
full complement of resources it needs to respond to. He stated,
"We have an outstanding Army aviation component, and striker
brigade requires aviation." He said that he would be talking
with General Brown, and others, about seriously finding parts of
the striker brigade where the Army National Guard can fit in,
and would make that part of the strategic plan and a goal for
the Alaska Army Guard to lead towards.
Number 2289
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said he knows that recruiting for the
National Guard will take place in the Bush, and he asked
Brigadier General Campbell to also consider the people in urban
areas who need jobs and [could be recruited].
Number 2336
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL said, "Absolutely." He reiterated
that recruiting and retention are both high priorities. He said
that he is certainly interested in Western Alaska, where there
has been a declining rate [of recruits]. He stated that he
thinks the needs of the individuals there have not been met as
well as they could be; there those individuals are not
interested in joining.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL told the committee about the Alaska
Youth Academy and the "challenge program." He proffered that
that program is one of the finest things that the department is
doing. The program is accredited, and the "troubled youth" who
go through it receive a degree. He said, "They also have
recently been tied to the education formula, and so their
funding allows us to us them as an educational - a growth -
opportunity for youth, other than just a place to put them to
give them some military discipline and hope they turn out all
right." Brigadier General Campbell stated that [the
legislature] has helped that program immensely, and he asked for
its continued support.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG clarified that he was referring to
people who have not had "those troubles," but need jobs.
Number 2403
REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM noted that she has the privilege of
having two [military] bases in her district. She stated that
she considers it enlightening to speak with people in the
military. She said that people in leadership positions
throughout the state have expressed utmost confidence in
Brigadier General Campbell's ability to [serve as adjutant
general/commissioner]. She said that, since speaking with
Brigadier General Campbell, she feels that he is the correct
person for the position.
Number 2429
REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ suggested that the recommendation be
passed on.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH asked Brigadier General Campbell which military
leader from history he most admires.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL expressed admiration for Teddy
Roosevelt as one of the stronger military leaders; although he
was not a traditional military leader, he really knew the
military, participated in it in many ways that were
unconventional, and, as President, gave the military some of the
greatest support. Brigadier General Campbell referred to a book
called The Greatest Triumph, which is about how President
Roosevelt built a team to take America's military and bring
America, as a country to the forefront of the international
world at the turn of the nineteenth century. He stated that the
sailing of "the Great White Fleet" around the world really
demonstrated how the military can be used for the interest of
America.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL opined that the military should
"never have its end goal being a military goal." He said, "Our
end goal is nothing more than whatever the national objective of
the United States of America is." He stated that he thinks
President Roosevelt understood that very well. In response to a
question from Chair Weyhrauch, Brigadier General Campbell agreed
that the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs is probably
the smallest department in the state.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH asked Brigadier General Campbell to describe his
strengths and weaknesses.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL said that his strength lies in
understanding "the organization," and understanding the needs of
Alaska. He remarked that he's lived in the state for a long
time and has a varied background. He said he thinks his
strengths will lead him to do the right things for Alaska and
DMVA, and he told the committee that he has strong leadership
skills.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL said his weakness is probably that he
has been part-time in the National Guard, only serving one year
full-time up to the present. He said that he is relying heavily
on full-time people in whom he has confidence - including
[Brigadier] General [Craig] Christensen and Colonel Tim Scott -
to help ensure that he doesn't make any mistakes from his
"traditional weekender perspective."
Number 2560
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH asked Brigadier General Campbell to tell the
committee why the legislature should confirm him as commissioner
of the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs.
BRIGADIER GENERAL CAMPBELL replied that he thinks that the
legislature should confirm him as commissioner for all the
things discussed today, including his vision of where the
department could go, his support for Alaska, his understanding
of where the department fits in state affairs, his leadership
skills, and "for making Alaska a stronger, better place to live
and work."
[Although no formal motion was made, the confirmation of
Brigadier General Campbell was treated as advanced from the
House State Affairs Standing Committee.]
HB 45 - SECOND VERSE OF ALASKA'S STATE SONG
Number 2603
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH announced that the next order of business was
HOUSE BILL NO. 45, "An Act adding a second verse to the official
Alaska state song."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH, sponsor of HB 45, noted that the proposed
legislation would add a verse to "Alaska's Flag," the Alaska
state song. The decision of whether or not to add the verse has
been previously debated in the legislature. He said, "It has
repeatedly passed the House and gone over to the Senate for its
analysis."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH said the verse is a poem written by Carol Beery
Davis, the former poet laureate of Alaska, and is designed to
recognize the state flag and the cultural unity in the state of
Alaska. He said that the [second] verse has been sung by his
own children. A choir of children has sung it at previous
events, including the inauguration of Governor Frank Murkowski
and the swearing in of the Twenty-First Alaska State
Legislature. Chair Weyhrauch stated his belief that it would be
meaningful to adopt [the second verse] and that it is long past
due to address this issue.
Number 2715
CONSTANCE DAVIS told the committee that she is a third-
generation Alaskan. She explained that her natural interest in
the song is because her father was on the committee to choose a
[state] flag, and her mother took notes [on the event], which
she later put into booklet form. She said she thought it was
touching that her mother had stayed up long into the night
writing "this verse" at the age of 95.
MS. DAVIS said that the [second] verse has continuity with the
first verse and shows her mother's love for the land. She
mentioned the progress "foretold in that verse" and its
historical context. Ms. Davis told the committee that her
mother was a friend of Marie Drake and Elinor Dusenbury, the
author and composer, respectively, and she said she believed
those women definitely would have approved of [the second]
verse. Ms. Davis indicated that she had submitted a page
listing her mother's accomplishments during previous hearings
and added that her mother was a very accomplished musician, as
well as a poet.
MS. DAVIS, in response to a question by Representative
Berkowitz, confirmed that [a bill requesting the addition of the
second verse to the Alaska state song] had passed in the House
[during the Twenty-First Alaska State Legislature] and, she
added, had done so in 1987.
REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ asked how many cosponsors were on the
bill.
MS. DAVIS said that she did not know.
Number 2850
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG pointed to the first paragraph of
Representative Carl Morgan's letter to Senator [Gene]
Therriault, dated January 31, 2002. It read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Twenty-nine of my colleagues in the House and three
from the Senate have joined with me by co-
sponsoring/cross-sponsoring this bill.
Number 2887
J. ALLAN MACKINNON told the committee that Ms. Davis's mother
was his [piano and organ] teacher and his inspiration for many
years. He told the committee that Ms. Beery was new to the
[Alaska] Territory in 1920. He credited her with enabling him
to go to Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska, and to
further study music Back East, and for inspiring him to complete
his Bachelor of Music degree "earlier."
TAPE 03-03, SIDE B
Number 2950
MR. MACKINNON mentioned the Anchorage Community Chorus, which he
believes may have been one of the first choral organizations to
sing the second verse. He said he has had the pleasure to
accompany [former Lieutenant Governor] Fran Ulmer and others
singing both verses.
MR. MACKINNON acknowledged that "some people, in previous
testimony, in previous years have criticized later poets ...
writing words that would go with music." He said that he
believes it can be shown historically that many songs and
melodies have been "adopted and later used and misused, and
[that] words of various descriptions have been added." He gave
an example.
MR. MACKINNON said he thinks it is important to note that Ms.
Beery knew and was personally involved with "the
contemporaries," Ms. Drake and Ms. Dusenbury. He said that Ms.
Dusenbury's husband was stationed in the military at Fort Seward
and became friends with the Davises and others.
Number 2820
MR. MACKINNON said there has been "enthusiastic support and
usage of the second verse since 1987." He proffered that the
official adoption of the [second] verse in statute "is a
different level of acceptance to some people," and would broaden
the understanding of what Alaska is all about. He urged the
committee to adopt the second verse.
Number 2761
TERI TIBBIT, Staff to Representative Max Gruenberg, sang the
Alaska state song, including the second verse under
consideration by the committee. [Lyrics to both verses are
specified in the bill.]
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH commented that HB 45 may or may not be a
contentious issue. He added, "Sometimes little things like this
are important."
Number 2562
REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ noted that although he did not know
why, this issue has been a contentious one in the past. He said
that [the adoption of the second verse into the Alaska state
song] was one of the recommendations of [then-Governor Knowles']
tolerance commission. Furthermore, it is an effort that the
legislature can make in healing some of the "divides" in the
state. He said that that legislative body often gets caught up
in rhetoric and the divisiveness of budgets and forgets that
[Alaska] is a small state. Furthermore, an effort should be
made to bring people together, whether they have newly arrived
in the state or have been here for generations.
Number 2521
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that, as the Representative from
Seward, he would be proud to have [the second verse] adopted.
He stated that he also thought that [the late] Benny Benson, who
designed the flag, would be proud, as well. He said that [the
addition of the second verse] "bodes well for Alaska, as it
indicates the aspirations of all Alaskans." He encouraged the
committee to forward [the bill].
Number 2509
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG suggested that the passing of the bill
would be an historic event and many members may want to have
their names attached to it; therefore, he asked if it would be
possible to have another printing of the bill, so that other
members of the legislature could cosponsor the bill.
Number 2458
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that he had submitted a cosponsor
statement, and he said he thought that [the names] would all be
on the official copy when it comes out on the floor of the
House.
Number 2445
REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ, in response to a question from
Representative Gruenberg, clarified as follows: "As long as
people cosponsor while [the bill] is in the possession of this
body - which it will be until we vote it out - the final version
that's read across to the other side will have all the names of
all the cosponsors."
Number 2419
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN stated his belief that all 50 states have an
official state song, but Alaska is the only state [in which
residents stand during the singing of] its song. He explained
the reason for that is because the song is more than just a
state song - it is also an anthem. He said he thinks that the
Alaska state song, as it currently is, "honors all Alaskans past
and present, rich and poor, old and young, Native [and] non-
Native." It also honors Benny Benson and Elinor Dusenbury. He
said he thinks that the current version of the song is "a
wonderful expression of tolerance." He opined that, just as
words should not be added to the "Star-Spangled Banner," nor
should they be added to the Alaska state song. He described
both those songs as classics and said he did not think that [the
legislature] should "mess with a masterpiece," or fix something
that is not broken. Notwithstanding that, he said that he
thinks that the second verse is beautiful.
Number 2282
REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ moved to report HB 45 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal
note. There being no objection, HB 45 was reported from the
House State Affairs Standing Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 2266
There being no further business before the committee, the House
State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:05
a.m.
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