HCR 15-DECORATION OF HONOR AWARD SCR 14-DECORATION OF HONOR AWARD 1:04:12 PM CHAIR TUCK announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 15, Relating to awarding the Alaska Decoration of Honor to certain members of the military and SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14, Relating to awarding the Alaska Decoration of Honor to certain members of the military. 1:04:46 PM SENATOR MIA COSTELLO, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, presented SCR 14. She paraphrased the sponsor statement, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: It is an honor and a privilege to recognize those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the service of Alaska, that of surrendering their life in the protection of our state and our country. Since 2007, the Legislature has honored their sacrifice with the Alaska Decoration of Honor, presenting a medal to surviving family or friends. There have been more than two hundred recipients of this honor since statehood, recognizing the important roll Alaskans have played, and continue to play, in the security of our home. Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 awards the Alaska Decoration of Honor to three armymen killed in the line of duty during 2017: Private First Class Hansen B. Kirkpatrick (Died July 3, 2017) Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jacob M. Sims (Died October 28, 2017) Staff Sergeant David T. Brabander (Died December 11, 2017) Private Kirkpatrick of Wasilla served as a mortarman in the 1-36 Infantry stationed in Fort Bills, Texas. At only 19 years old, he died in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, due to wounds sustained during an indirect fire attack. He was described as "a caring, disciplined, and intelligent young soldier." Chief Warrant Officer Sims of Oklahoma and Southeast Alaska, 36, was a combat engineer turned UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot who had served this state and nation for nearly 20 years. He was killed in a helicopter crash during his deployment in Logar Province, Afghanistan. He served multiple tours of duty in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Brabander of Wasilla was a squad leader at Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson. The 24-year-old deployed to Afghanistan in September, and was killed in Nangahar Province, Afghanistan when his vehicle overturned in a combat zone. Like so many Alaskans, he loved the outdoors. It is a solemn occasion for a Decoration of Honor to be necessary, and it is our hope that those who put their lives on the line for the safety of Alaskans return home safely themselves. We offer our condolences to the families and friends of these three servicemen, honor their service, and memorialize their sacrifice by passing SCR 14. SENATOR COSTELLO noted that it is Alaska Statute (AS) 26.05.342 that allows this honor to be awarded; it requires a resolution be passed by the legislature in order to provide the awards to the families. 1:07:08 PM REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, presented HCR 15. For the record, he stated the names of the fallen servicemen being honored [as listed in Senator Costello's sponsor statement previously provided]. He added the names of the surviving family of each deceased serviceman. 1:09:17 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked, "Do you have any idea how many more of the declaration of honor medals we have in inventory?" REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI answered that the Joint Armed Services Committee has approximately 60 blank medals in storage. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER noted that the declaration of honor was established by his predecessor, Representative Nancy Dahlstrom. 1:10:16 PM CHAIR TUCK opened public testimony on HCR 15 and SCR 14. 1:11:10 PM VERDIE BOWEN, Director of Veterans Affairs, Office of Veteran Affairs, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), stated that DMVA supports HCR 15 and SCR 14. He expressed appreciation to the legislature for creating the means to honor fallen service members. In response to Representative Saddler, he explained the process by which military personnel is recognized. He said DMVA verifies that the individuals being considered were killed in a combat zone. He said there have been 241 recipients. He credited former Representative Dahlstrom and her aides for their work to create a decoration of honor. In response to a follow-up question, he said the contact information for the surviving family of the fallen servicemen was current as of a few weeks ago, and DMVA makes every effort to ensure that they receive the awards given. 1:13:47 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER emphasized the importance of not only making the award, but going the extra step in ensuring the family receives it. 1:13:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD echoed the comment of Representative Saddler. She related that there had been medals in her office "stacked really high," and her staff tried to help find the contact information for the recipients. She said it was sad to see the medals sitting in an office when she knew "someone would treasure and value them." 1:14:35 PM CHAIR TUCK, after ascertaining that there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HCR 15 and SCR 14. 1:14:44 PM CHAIR TUCK announced that HCR 15 and SCR 14 were held over.