HCR 9-DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY  4:58:37 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9, Honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States of America. CHAIR CARRICK, as prime sponsor of HCR 9, described the difference between HR 6 [discussed and held over as the previous agenda item] and HCR 9. She talked about moving HCR 9 forward. 5:00:08 PM The committee took an at-ease from 5:00 p.m. to 5:02 p.m. 5:02:59 PM CHAIR CARRICK offered clarification regarding HR 6 and HCR 9. 5:04:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE STORY began a motion to adopt a committee substitute. 5:04:31 PM The committee took an at-ease at 5:04 p.m. 5:04:44 PM REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HCR 9, Version 34-LS1091\I, C. Radford 1/30/26, as a working document. CHAIR CARRICK objected for discussion. 5:05:30 PM STUART RELAY, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, Alaska State Legislature, gave a summary of key additions in the proposed CS to HCR 9 on behalf Representative Carrick, prime sponsor. In the committee files, there is a document summarizing the changes as follows [original punctuation provided]: CS HCR 9 (STA) (Version I) merges several WHEREAS and BE IT RESOLVED statements from House Resolution 6 honoring America's semiquincentennial with House Concurrent Resolution 9 which similarly honors America's semiquincentennial. The changes are as follows: 1st WHEREAS: Updated language from HCR 9 version N. • Deletes "a date that is recognized as the birthday of the United States of America." • Inserts "a date that signifies the founding of the United States of America." 2nd WHEREAS: unchanged language from HCR 9 version N 3rd WHEREAS: unchanged language from HCR 9 version N 4th WHEREAS: Added from HR 6 5th WHEREAS: Added from HR 6 6th WHEREAS: Added from HR 6 7th WHEREAS: unchanged language from HCR 9 version N 8th WHEREAS: Added from HR 6 9th WHEREAS: Added from HR 6 10th WHEREAS: Added from HR 6 11th WHEREAS: unchanged language from HCR 9 version N 12th WHEREAS: unchanged language from HCR 9 version N 1st BE IT RESOLVED: Updated language from HCR 9 version N. • Deletes: "birthday of the United States of America and encourages residents of the state to celebrate this milestone." • Inserts: "anniversary of the founding of the United States; and be it" 2nd RESOLVED: Added from HR 6 3rd RESOLVED: Added from HR 6 5:06:14 PM The committee took an at-ease at 5:06 p.m. 5:06:52 PM MR. RELAY stated the "Whereas" brought from HR 6 to HCR 9 includes rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and discusses the principal of federalism. It emphasizes the importance of decentralized government and encourages commemorative activities. He stated that the "Further Resolved" encourages educational institutions to enhance civic education. CHAIR CARRICK put a correction on record that it was the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence not the U.S. Constitution for both resolutions. 5:08:27 PM CHAIR CARRICK removed her objection to the motion to adopt Version I to HCR 9. There being no further objection, Version I was before the committee. 5:09:07 PM CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HCR 9, Version I. After ascertaining there was no one who wished to testify, she closed public testimony. CHAIR CARRICK set amendment deadline for HCR 9. CHAIR CARRICK announced that HCR 9, Version I, was held over.