HJR 13-HONORING RONALD REAGAN  CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business was HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13, Honoring President Reagan on the 100th anniversary of his birth. 8:09:25 AM REPRESENTATIVE BILL STOLTZE, Alaska State Legislature, presented HJR 13 as sponsor. He said HJR 13 is a resolution that recognizes the one-hundredth anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's birth. He referred to information in the committee packet that highlights some of the former president's accomplishments [from the second paragraph of the sponsor statement, which read as follows, original punctuation provided]: In addition to his successful acting career, his leadership as the head of a labor union, his accomplishments as an elected official, both as Governor of California and President of the United States, Reagan was involved in several Alaska-specific initiatives and events, which this resolution recognizes. These include advocating for limited federal control of Alaska's land; signing into law the transfer of the Alaska Railroad from the federal government to the State of Alaska; meeting with Pope John Paul II in Fairbanks; and signing legislation to authorize reparation payments to Aleuts who had been relocated during the Second World War. REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE said the resolution would not cost the state anything. 8:11:47 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said the information provided by the sponsor was educational and well compiled, and he observed that there were a number of things President Reagan did that were beneficial to Alaska. He indicated that he had not previously been aware of some of this information. REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE credited his staff member, Darrell Breese, for doing that research. 8:12:30 AM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON expressed her appreciation of the resolution, and said she remembers when President Reagan served in office people said one day he would be remembered as one of the nation's best Presidents. She echoed Representative Seaton's comment about having learned new information, and she opined that President Reagan did a lot for the country. 8:13:20 AM CHAIR LYNN stated his support of the resolution and his appreciation of President Reagan. 8:14:41 AM REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN expressed appreciation for the work of President Reagan, not only as President, but as a candidate for Governor of California during a contentious time in the 1960s. He applauded the introduction of the legislation. 8:15:30 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated that sometimes it takes some time for great presidents to be recognized. 8:15:47 AM CHAIR LYNN closed [public testimony]. 8:15:55 AM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON, with the permission of the chair, read onto the record [language from page 2, lines 14-28, of the proposed resolution], which credits President Reagan for having done the following for Alaska: advocating the limitation of federal control over Alaska's land and natural resources; in 1983, signing into law the Alaska Railroad Transfer; transferring ownership of the Alaska Railroad to the state; in 1984, meeting with Pope John Paul II in Fairbanks to discuss pressing world issues; signing legislation that authorized the payment of reparations to the Aleuts who had been displaced from their homes and sent to internment camps during World War II; supporting the Village Built Clinic Program, which funded Indian Health Service clinics in Alaska Native villages throughout the state; bringing basic health care to many Alaskans; and authorizing the establishment of the federal government 8(a) Business Development Program, which brought economic development and benefits to Alaska Native Corporations. 8:17:24 AM REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE remarked upon Ted Stevens' involvement during this time period. 8:17:51 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report HJR 13 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HJR 13 was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.