SB 94-SECOND VERSE OF ALASKA'S STATE SONG  8:35:47 AM CHAIR MUNOZ announced that the first order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 94, "An Act adding a second verse to the official Alaska state song." 8:36:04 AM SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, Alaska State Legislature, speaking as the sponsor of SB 94, reminded the committee that legislation proposing adding a second verse to Alaska's state song has been before the committee in the past. She recalled that such legislation passed a couple of times in the House, but it didn't make it through the process last year. 8:37:14 AM SENATOR ALBERT KOOKESH, Alaska State Legislature, began by informing the committee that last year when this legislation went through the process, he purposefully didn't attend any of the committee meetings in order to avoid the perception that he was being self-serving. However, that legislation didn't go anywhere. Therefore, he decided that this year he was going to attend all committee meetings on this legislation. Senator Kookesh told the committee that for most of his adult life he has served and worked in the Alaska Native community, and thus he considers himself an Alaska Native leader. He related that he is the co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), an Alaskan Native and State Senator, and a former Grand President of the Alaska Native Brotherhood. Senator Kookesh highlighted that he grew up in the Village of Angoon where he still lives today. Senator Kookesh then related his disappointment that prior legislation to add the second verse to the Alaska state song hasn't been brought to the House or Senate floor for a vote. In fact, some of the comments last year were of concern, particularly comments expressing concern that the second verse of the Alaska state song would lead [Alaska Natives] to sovereignty in the state. He also recalled comments regarding the second verse of the Alaska state song providing [Alaska Natives] the ability to develop leadership in the state. The only reference to the Alaska Native community was the term "native lad", which refers to Benny Benson, the Native boy who designed the flag. He questioned what is wrong with mentioning that Benny Benson is an Alaska Native. He also questioned why one wouldn't support the language "there be no bars among our cultures." With regard to those who charge that the second verse can't be sung, he disagreed and recalled hearing a beautiful rendition of it in the Senate's opening ceremony this year. The second verse won't provide the Alaska Native community a step up in terms of politics, although it will in terms of saving face and recognizing the Alaska Native contribution to the state. This would be in contrast to the state seal, which has no depiction of the Alaska Native community. He questioned how unfair not having a depiction of Alaska Natives on the state seal when, at one point, Alaska Natives constituted 40 percent of the state's population. In conclusion, Senator Kookesh emphasized his support for SB 94 and for this legislation to be before the full House for a vote. Therefore, he urged the committee to forward SB 94 from committee and eventually help it get to the House floor for a vote. Senator Kookesh closed by stressing that he views the second verse of the state song with pride in terms of appreciating the contributions from Alaska Natives in the state. 8:42:02 AM REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA related that her reason for staying in the state was a total fascination and admiration for the first Alaskans. The second verse of the Alaska state song seems to allude to the wisdom and knowledge of Alaska Natives. She then related her embarrassment that Representative Kookesh had to say what he said because Alaska Natives need to have more [recognition] than the second verse of the Alaska state song. SENATOR KOOKESH noted his appreciation for Representative Cissna's words. He then highlighted that the Alaska Native community has worked hard. In fact, the Alaska Native community, through its corporations, brings $4 billion to the bottom line of the state. Furthermore, an Alaska Native won the Iditarod and the Iron Man this year. Moreover, two Alaska Native girls were paramount in Wasilla winning the Girls 4A Basketball State Championship. Alaska Natives, he stressed, make contributions to the state daily and the second verse in the Alaska state song would be a small recognition. He related that the Alaska Native community has a saying that when one does "good" he/she lifts up the face of his/her people. 8:44:33 AM REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN told the committee that he has the honor of calling Benny Benson his friend. The reference to him in the second verse is very appropriate, he opined. 8:45:10 AM REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER inquired as to AFN's stance on SB 94. SENATOR KOOKESH relayed that [AFN] believed the legislation adding the second verse to the Alaska state song was going to pass last year and the AFN convention was going to be dedicated to the second verse and recognize Benny Benson and his family. However, that didn't happen and the theme had to be changed. The AFN does plan to have a celebration if and win legislation adding the second verse to the Alaska state song passes. 8:45:49 AM CHAIR MUNOZ recalled that Carol Beery Davis was her music teacher and that she discussed how important it was to recognize the [Alaska] Native culture in song as well as other ways. Much later, at age 95, she wrote the second verse. 8:46:52 AM SENATOR KOOKESH remarked that people come to Alaska to see the Alaska Native culture and their art, not cement, and the state's diversity. Actions by the legislature should celebrate that diversity, which this legislation achieves. 8:47:57 AM PAMELA MARSH, Staff, Senator Bettye Davis, Alaska State Legislature, paraphrased from the following sponsor statement: Senate Bill 94 would add a second verse to The Alaska's Flag Song. The late Carol Beery Davis wrote a beautiful second verse, which gives recognition to Alaska Natives and to Benny Benson, who designed the Alaskan flag. Similar bills have been introduced in the past. Last year The Alaska's Flag Song was performed with both verses as the Senate gaveled in on the first day of session. Also last year, the Senator from District G introduced Senate Bill 43. It passed the Senate, but stalled in the House. This year is the year to join me in supporting a long overdue addition of the second verse to the Alaska Flag Song. By passing this bill you will be recognizing history, our progress as a state and our first people. 8:49:03 AM SELINA EVERSON, Elder, Alaska Native Sisterhood, Camp 70, began by relating her support for the idea of adding a second verse to Alaska's state song. She opined that it would be an honor to honor and recognize Alaska's Native people for what they have contributed to the state rather than feel like second citizens. Alaska Native school children would be so proud to know the second verse was added. Ms. Everson expressed hope that she will be able to announce that the second verse legislation is moving through the Alaska House of Representatives. Upon request of Chair Munoz, Ms. Everson spoke in Tlingit to the committee, saying: "Thank you for listening to me and for having the opportunity to come before you in support of this song." 8:52:46 AM CONNIE DAVIS, speaking as one of the daughters of Carol Beery Davis, highlighted that 1927 was an exciting and historic year for the Territory of Alaska. In March, the design for the flag was selected. She noted that her father was a member of the final awards committee. Her father related to her mother that they chose a design representing all of Alaska. In May, the flag was made official by the legislature and the first verse of Alaska's state song was written by her mother's good friend, Marie Drake. During those eventful months, Carol Beery Davis interviewed Alaskans involved in making it all happen, which ultimately became a booklet called, "Alaska's Flag". Among those interviewed was young Benny Benson, creator of the flag design. She recalled that her mother never forgot Mr. Benson's depth of thought and feeling for his years. She opined that those thoughts inspired Marie Drake in the first verse and is continued in the second, adding recognition of the designer and hope for his future state. The verses complement each other. Although some are concerned that this is a change, the second verse is merely an addition and complements the first verse. In conclusion, Ms. Davis said she would appreciate the committee's full consideration of SB 94. 8:55:52 AM CHAIR MUNOZ, upon determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony. 8:56:10 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER moved to report SB 94 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, it was so ordered. 8:57:07 AM MS. DAVIS interjected that there were verses with mistakes on the Internet that have been corrected. 8:58:24 AM The committee sang the proposed second verse to Alaska's state song.