HB 175:  APPROP:  WOMEN IN MILITARY MEMORIAL                                 
                                                                               
  Number 570                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title to HB 175 and invited its                      
  sponsor to the table for his statement.                                      
                                                                               
  Number 575                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE CLIFF DAVIDSON, PRIME SPONSOR OF HB 175,                      
  explained he had five reasons for introducing HB 175, an                     
  appropriation of $15,000 for the national women in the                       
  military memorial.  He felt Alaska was in a unique position                  
  to contribute; that the women in the military deserve                        
  recognition; that Alaska has the highest per capita women                    
  veterans in any state; that the state's proud military                       
  tradition demands such recognition; and, that as the                         
  national budget for the military shrinks, it is important to                 
  show support for that tradition.                                             
                                                                               
  Number 602                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked why $15,000 was chosen as the                           
  appropriation amount.                                                        
                                                                               
  Number 605                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDSON chose $15,000 after looking at other                 
  states' contributions.                                                       
                                                                               
  Number 608                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY perceived Alaska's portion of the total cost                  
  of the monument might run $280,000, and asked if the state                   
  might be asked to come up with the remainder after this                      
  appropriation.                                                               
                                                                               
  Number 610                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDSON stated private funding would pay the                 
  majority of the cost for the memorial.                                       
                                                                               
  Number 620                                                                   
                                                                               
  VICE CHAIRMAN PETE KOTT noted there would be a large public                  
  sector contribution, and it appeared to him Alaska would be                  
  contributing about three dollars per in-state veteran to the                 
  memorial, as opposed to less than a quarter from Florida.                    
  He felt that was the right amount.                                           
                                                                               
  Number 631                                                                   
                                                                               
  JOELLE HALL, AN ARMY VETERAN, felt strongly that Alaska                      
  should contribute to the memorial.  She said after the                       
  recent Gulf War, it was appropriate to recognize women's                     
  contributions to the military.                                               
                                                                               
  Number 644                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE B. DAVIS MOVED PASSAGE of HB 175 and asked                    
  for unanimous consent; there were no objections, and IT SO                   
  MOVED.                                                                       
                                                                               
  ADJOURNMENT                                                                  
                                                                               
  Number 649                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY noted there were no other items on the agenda                 
  and adjourned the meeting at 8:45 a.m.