HB 128-ALASKA WILD SALMON DAY  1:20:24 PM CO-CHAIR TALERICO announced that the next order of business is HOUSE BILL NO. 128, "An Act establishing August 10 of each year as Alaska Wild Salmon Day." 1:20:42 PM REPRESENTATIVE BRYCE EDGMON, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, introduced HB 128 and advised it sets aside August 10 each year to celebrate the Alaska Wild Salmon. He advised that the bill creates an opportunity for all Alaskans to celebrate [wild king, sockeye, coho, and pink] salmon from any standpoint they so desire. Research indicates that the creation of a wild salmon day also offers those in the tourism industry, and marketers of all things Alaska, an opportunity to have the cache of Alaska Wild Salmon Day, he offered. In drafting the bill, he said, they worked with tourism industry entities and chose August 10 as it was a date unoccupied by any other Alaska day, and it wasn't in the month of July which is stacked with a number of celebrations. 1:23:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE HERRON asked whether August 10 is Representative Edgmon's birthday. REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON replied it is not his birthday and is an arbitrary date. He advised that those in the tourism industry believe August 10 is still during the height of the tourist season, and that it would be appropriate to set one day aside for those coming into the state as tourists as well as Alaskans to celebrate Alaska Salmon Day. REPRESENTATIVE HERRON asked whether the sponsor would support an amendment offered by United Fishermen of Alaska to change "chum" to "keta." REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON responded that "chum" is the more accepted term, but he would defer to the committee's will. He pointed out that most people know "dog salmon" as "chum salmon." CO-CHAIR TALERICO opened public testimony then closed it after ascertaining no one wished to testify. 1:25:47 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said he is unsure the date is right because two weeks ago, 259 king salmon were caught in Homer during the tournament, and a February date may be better. Salmon are ubiquitous around Alaska and are very valued by everyone, he stated, and he supports the bill. REPRESENTATIVE HERRON concurred that salmon is Alaska's way of life and recognizing wild salmon is a great honor for Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE TARR supported the bill and asked whether there would be an Alaska Wild Salmon Day song to help celebrate. CO-CHAIR NAGEAK advised it is appropriate that wild salmon are celebrated on August 10. 1:27:25 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to report HB 128, labeled 29- LS0563\W, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 128 was reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.