HSTA - 03/23/95 HB 239 - DRAGONFLY AS STATE INSECT Number 579 REPRESENTATIVE IRENE NICHOLIA said HB 239 amends Alaska statutes to declare the dragonfly as the official state insect. This suggestion was first brought to the attention of the legislature by a group of students from Aniak, Alaska, she said. She stated nominations for the official state insect first started being collected in 1992. Besides the nomination for the dragonfly, there were nominations for the mosquito, the butterfly, and the bumblebee. Following the nomination process, ballots were sent to every public school in the state. The winning nomination was the four spot skimmer dragonfly by 3,941 votes. This nomination won by a margin of 868 votes. She recognized many Alaskans may feel the mosquito would be a wiser choice for state insect, but encouraged support for the dragonfly, as it was a predator of the mosquito, was one of the largest insects in the largest state, the ability of the dragonfly to hover was reminiscent of Alaskas bush pilots, and its large eyes reflected the diversity of culture and beliefs in our state. Thus, the dragonfly is the most appropriate candidate. She encouraged the committee to support the choice of Alaskas students. CHAIR JAMES mentioned there was eight students and one teacher wishing to testify from Aniak. She called for them to testify. Number 621 RUTH BRADFORD, Teacher at Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary School, informed the committee the students had short presentation to explain their cause to make the dragonfly the official state insect. While recognizing the important concerns facing the legislature, they wanted to emphasize this was a grassroots effort from the students of this state. BRUCK CLIFT, 7th grade student at Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary School, stated the dragonfly had been around since prehistoric times. By outlasting the dinosaurs, they show Alaska has more than a history of snow and ice. RAINY DIEHL, 8th grade student at Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary School, argued the dragonfly is unique, because of its colors and is larger than most flying insects. He thought it was unfortunate there was not enough to destroy all of the mosquitoes in Alaska. DANA DIEHL, 6th grade student at Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary School, said she voted for the dragonfly, because they eat mosquitoes. She thought Alaska was better with fewer mosquitoes. DEIDRE BUSH, 8th grade student at Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary School, metaphorically mentioned she flew high as a four spot skimmer dragonfly. She said she represented Alaska, because shes an awesome guy. Shell eat mosquitoes until the day she dies. RACHEL BOELENS, 7th grade student at Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary School, says she likes mosquitoes, but they are a pest. Because they eat mosquitoes, dragonflies are the best. ANDREA GUSTY, 6th grade student at Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary School, thought the dragonfly deserves to be the state insect, because it is slender and graceful, and was the choice of most Alaska students. DEREK ALUIA, 7th grade student at Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary School, thought that any insect as big and beautiful as the dragonfly and can survive Interior Alaskas winters, deserves to be the official state insect. MELANIE MATTER, 5th grade student at Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary School, said she worked hard on this project. She promised not to stop working until the dragonfly was the official state insect. Number 694 REPRESENTATIVE PORTER confessed he was one of those who had originally been a supporter of the mosquito. Having heard the testimony, he was persuaded and is switching his vote. REPRESENTATIVE OGAN agreed with Representative Porter. He mentioned he had drafted an amendment to change the word dragonfly to mosquito, but had been persuaded by the testimony of the Dragonfly Lobby Team to support the dragonfly. He said he would hate to be accused of being a mean spirited Republican." He thought the students were doing a good job. CHAIR JAMES called for a motion to pass this bill out of committee. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN stated he was overwhelmed by the forcefulness of the argument by the Dragonfly Lobby Team, and would move the committee pass this bill out of committee. TAPE 95-34, SIDE B Number 000 CHAIR JAMES was pleased the students used this as an educational process to learn how government works. She asked if there was any objection to passing this bill out of committee, but was reminded there was a proposed committee substitute for HB 239. She explained the committee substitute clarified that it was the four spot skimmer dragonfly intended as the official state insect. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN said he would withdraw his previous motion to allow the committee substitute to be adopted. REPRESENTATIVE PORTER moved to adopt CSHB 239 version C, dated 3-17-95, as the working document. CHAIR JAMES asked if there was an objection. Hearing none, the committee substitute was adopted. Number 036 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN moved to pass CSHB 239, version C, with unanimous consent out of committee with individual recommendations. REPRESENTATIVE WILLIS thought maybe the motion should say the committee shoos the dragonfly out of committee. CHAIR JAMES asked if there was any objections. Hearing none, the bill passed out of committee.