HJR 8-SUPPORTING ALASKA ARMY NATL. GUARD CHAIR SEATON announced that the first order of business was HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8, Expressing support of Alaska Army National Guard soldiers deployed worldwide. 8:04:24 AM TERRY HARVEY, Staff to Representative Bruce Weyhrauch, Alaska State Legislature, introduced HJR 8 on behalf of Representative Weyhrauch, sponsor. He explained that HJR 8 is the legislature's official record of support for the fine men and women actively deployed with the Alaska Army National Guard. He stated that [the sponsor] doesn't want everyone to take for granted the sacrifices these individuals are making. The proposed legislation would recognize the troops that have been overseas and have returned, as well as those who are still overseas. Furthermore, [the sponsor] wants to recognize the difficulties experienced by the families of those in the Alaska Army National Guard as well. CHAIR SEATON said he believes he can speak for the entire committee when relating support to all the National Guard branches that do such fine work. 8:07:05 AM KATRINA PILLOW, Major, Board of Directors, Alaska Army National Guard Officers Association, related support for HJR 8. 8:08:12 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER applauded HJR 8 and noted that she is a co-sponsor. She asked if the resolution should be broadened to include the other National Guard branches in Alaska besides the army. 8:08:33 AM MR. HARVEY confirmed that there is also the Air National Guard. Due to the differences in deployment and the separation of the entities, this resolution supports the Alaska Army National Guard. He mentioned that Representative Gruenberg, during a House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting, discussed the possibility of crafting a similar resolution for the Air National Guard. 8:09:23 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked if Representative Weyhrauch planned to introduce such a resolution. MR. HARVEY answered that at this stage he believes the sponsor will work with the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs to craft legislation. 8:09:57 AM CHAIR SEATON closed public testimony. 8:10:05 AM REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS moved to report HJR 8 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HJR 8 was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee. 8:10:35 AM