HB 476 - YUKLA 27 REMEMBRANCE DAY Number 102 CO-CHAIRMAN PETE KOTT testified: "On September 22, 1995, an AWACS plane, with a call sign of YUKLA 27, crashed shortly after taking off from Elmendorf Air Force Base. Tragically, its entire crew of twenty-four young men perished in this catastrophic event. "HB 476, which is sponsored by the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, would declare September 22 of each year, as YUKLA 27 Remembrance Day. It also calls upon the Governor to issue a proclamation to commemorate the day and direct that Alaska flags be flown at half-mast. "It is only right and proper that we honor the memory of those who sacrificed so much for us. The Committee respectfully urges your support." CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT explained that he generally does not like to put in statute, issues of this nature, but considering that the tragedy happened in Alaska and considering that honorable members of the military have sacrificed a lot for us in the past, at present and will so in future, he has asked that a resolution be drawn up asking the Governor to issue a proclamation. CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT informed the committee that this effort has been coordinated with the public affairs office at Elmendorf Air Force Base. He said the names of the crew members of YUKLA 27 are all listed on the bill. Number 277 CO-CHAIRMAN IVAN noted the arrival of Representative Richard Foster and recognized the presence of Representatives Carl Moses and Tom Brice. Number 298 REPRESENTATIVE ED WILLIS stated that he had two friendly amendments for consideration: Amendment One: Page 1, line 6, between the and airmen, insert American and Canadian. Amendment Two: Reorder the crew members by rank, force and occupation, rather than alphabetically, and distinguish whether the airman is Canadian or United States Air Force. Number 421 CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT addressed Amendment One stating that the term airmen generally applied to all flyers aboard the Advanced Warning and Control System (AWACS). He said having flown himself on this particular tail number, YUKLA 27, most correspondence related to the term "airmen." He said he had no objection to the amendment. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CO-CHAIRMAN KOTT said Representative Willis' proposal in Amendment Two was correct. He said the original draft arrayed the names by rank, force and occupation, but recalled that the drafter of the bill indicated that this was not the appropriate way to include names in statute. Number 600 GEORGE DOZIER, Legislative Staff to Representative Pete Kott, said he worked on two separate resolutions and recalled that HB 476 was originally requested in order of rank but he did not recall the specifics. Number 695 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES said if the committee wishes the names be listed in order of rank then that is the way it should be moved. Number 727 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES questioned the significance of placing this event in statute and suggested that a memorial or monument might be a better approach. Number 854 REPRESENTATIVE MULDER agreed that the statutes should not get cluttered but felt the bill is appropriate for discussion and that it makes a statement to the military community that the legislature supports them and recognizes their sacrifices. Number 960 REPRESENTATIVE ELDON MULDER moved that CSHB 476(MLV) move from the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Number 985 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT expressed agreement with Representative Davies and suggested that the committee consider some type of memorial. He said, if funding were available, it would be a nice gesture. Number 1014 REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD FOSTER declared that the committee could confer with Adjutant General Lestenkof to see if DMVA could absorb the cost of a brass plate or a concrete obelisk. CO-CHAIRMAN IVAN said he respected that recommendation and agreed with Representative Foster that the committee would draft a letter to the Adjutant General. REPRESENTATIVE KOTT concurred with the recommendations.