HB 72-BLACK HISTORY MONTH                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
8:02:21 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR HANNAN announced that the  first order of business would                                                               
be HOUSE BILL NO. 72, "An  Act establishing the month of February                                                               
as Black History Month."                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
8:02:56 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  ANDI STORY,  Alaska State  Legislature, as  prime                                                               
sponsor, presented  HB 72.   She opined  that it is  important to                                                               
recognize the  contributions African-Americans  have made  in the                                                               
nation  and  in Alaska.    The  proposed legislation  would  help                                                               
people remember the contributions  of former Senator Bettye Davis                                                               
and attorney  Mahala Ashley  Dickerson, as  well as  to recognize                                                               
the contributions  currently being made  by so many others.   She                                                               
offered to answer questions from the committee.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
8:03:42 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR HANNAN noted that no amendments had been submitted.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
8:04:05 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STORY,  upon being  invited to add  final comment,                                                               
stated  that  she thinks  HB  72  would  honor the  diversity  in                                                               
communities.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
8:04:23 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND  moved to  report HB 72  out of  committee with                                                               
individual  recommendations and  the  accompanying fiscal  notes.                                                               
There being  no objection, HB  72 was  reported out of  the House                                                               
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.