HB 128-ALASKA WILD SALMON DAY
1:20:24 PM
CO-CHAIR TALERICO announced that the next order of business is
HOUSE BILL NO. 128, "An Act establishing August 10 of each year
as Alaska Wild Salmon Day."
1:20:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BRYCE EDGMON, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, introduced HB 128 and advised it sets aside August 10
each year to celebrate the Alaska Wild Salmon. He advised that
the bill creates an opportunity for all Alaskans to celebrate
[wild king, sockeye, coho, and pink] salmon from any standpoint
they so desire. Research indicates that the creation of a wild
salmon day also offers those in the tourism industry, and
marketers of all things Alaska, an opportunity to have the cache
of Alaska Wild Salmon Day, he offered. In drafting the bill, he
said, they worked with tourism industry entities and chose
August 10 as it was a date unoccupied by any other Alaska day,
and it wasn't in the month of July which is stacked with a
number of celebrations.
1:23:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON asked whether August 10 is Representative
Edgmon's birthday.
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON replied it is not his birthday and is an
arbitrary date. He advised that those in the tourism industry
believe August 10 is still during the height of the tourist
season, and that it would be appropriate to set one day aside
for those coming into the state as tourists as well as Alaskans
to celebrate Alaska Salmon Day.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON asked whether the sponsor would support an
amendment offered by United Fishermen of Alaska to change "chum"
to "keta."
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON responded that "chum" is the more accepted
term, but he would defer to the committee's will. He pointed
out that most people know "dog salmon" as "chum salmon."
CO-CHAIR TALERICO opened public testimony then closed it after
ascertaining no one wished to testify.
1:25:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said he is unsure the date is right
because two weeks ago, 259 king salmon were caught in Homer
during the tournament, and a February date may be better.
Salmon are ubiquitous around Alaska and are very valued by
everyone, he stated, and he supports the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON concurred that salmon is Alaska's way of
life and recognizing wild salmon is a great honor for Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR supported the bill and asked whether there
would be an Alaska Wild Salmon Day song to help celebrate.
CO-CHAIR NAGEAK advised it is appropriate that wild salmon are
celebrated on August 10.
1:27:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to report HB 128, labeled 29-
LS0563\W, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying zero fiscal notes. There being no objection,
HB 128 was reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.