HJR 62 - BRING BALTO BACK TO ALASKA Number 0042 CHAIRMAN IVAN announced the committee would hear HJR 62, Relating to bringing Balto back to Alaska, sponsored by Representative Ogan. He stated he believes that there is a draft committee substitute (CS), 0-LS1614/E, dated 3/10/98. REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT OGAN moved to adopt the proposed CS. There being no objection, it was so ordered. REPRESENTATIVE OGAN said there are some children in his district from Butte Elementary School who came up with the idea to bring Balto back to Alaska. He informed the committee that Balto was one of the lead dogs on the final leg of the serum to Nome in 1925. Most of the time, Balto is in storage at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. He said he asked the kids to work on writing the resolution and he submitted their words verbatim in the committee substitute. Representative Ogan pointed out the Mat-Su Borough has also agreed to introduce a resolution. He stated he believes Balto belongs back in Alaska. He informed the committee that Cody McGinn was the young man that came up with the idea. Number 0358 CODY McGINN, Third Grade Student, Butte Elementary School, testified from the Mat-Su Legislative Information Office (LIO) in support of HJR 62. He stated that he would like to have Balto in Alaska because he helped to bring the serum to Nome in 1925. He saved many Alaskan lives. He is a hero to Alaska. Mr. McGinn said he thinks that when people come to Alaska, they could see Balto here. Number 0419 GIA HOMSTAD, Second Grade Student, Butte Elementary School, testified via teleconference from the Mat-Su LIO. She informed the committee she is eight years old. She said even though she understands that Cleveland saved Balto from a side show which was not treating him very well, she would still like Balto here in Alaska. He saved a part of Alaska (indisc.) all the way to Palmer. Balto is a hero to all Alaskans. She said she believes that if Balto was able to choose between staying in Ohio or Alaska, he would choose Alaska because his story started here. Ms. Homstad respectfully requested that Balto be moved back to Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE OGAN informed the committee he was born in Ohio and if he had to choose between Ohio or Alaska, he would choose Alaska as he has. He said he believes Balto would do the same. Number 0419 KATIE PISKURA, Butte Elementary School, testified via teleconference from the Mat-Su LIO. She informed the committee members she is eight years old. Ms. Piskura said she believes it is a good idea to bring Balto back because he was a hero in Alaska and saved many lives. He has been in Cleveland for 60 years and she understands how Cleveland should keep him, but he should be in Alaska as people in Alaska love him. Number 0552 REPRESENTATIVE FRED DYSON made a motion to pass CSHJR 62(CRA) out of committee with individual recommendations. REPRESENTATIVE JERRY SANDERS stated that he supports the resolution to bring Balto back to Alaska. He asked if there are any arguments between Wasilla and Nome as it would seem Nome also would have a claim on Balto just as Wasilla would. He asked if there has been any discussion with Nome students. REPRESENTATIVE OGAN said he doesn't believe there has been discussion, but agreed that there should be. He said if there is success in bringing Balto back to Alaska, maybe the students in Wasilla would be willing to share him. He noted the Iditarod headquarters are in Wasilla and the end of the race is in Nome which is where Balto did his heroic deed. REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS stated that there should be some correspondence with the children in Nome to come to an agreement on how this should be handled. REPRESENTATIVE OGAN concurred. MR. McGINN indicated he would be willing to correspond with children in Nome. REPRESENTATIVE OGAN stated he would forward some addresses of the schools in Nome to the school in Wasilla. Number 0791 REPRESENTATIVE DYSON reiterated his motion to move CSHJR 62(CRA) out of committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, CSHJR 62(CRA) moved out of the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.