HB 142-ESTABLISH ELDERS' DAY  8:44:19 AM CHAIR LYNN announced that the next order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 142, "An Act establishing Elders' Day." 8:44:36 AM REPRESENTATIVE NEIL FOSTER, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, introduced his staff, Ms. Watts, to present HB 142. 8:45:12 AM ANDREA WATTS, Staff, Representative Neil Foster, Alaska State Legislature, presented HB 142 on behalf of Representative Foster, prime sponsor, as follows: Elders of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds hold a special place in the hearts of Alaskans. Elders' knowledge and experiences provide a link from the past to the present - a link that connects us to our ancestors. Elders also serve a vital role as teachers and mentors, guiding younger generations through the many facets of life. Celebrating and honoring elders on Winter Solstice - a time of change and optimism - not only recognizes the value of those that came before us, but the significant lessons and knowledge they selflessly leave behind for us to take into the future. MS. WATTS offered to answer questions. CHAIR LYNN asked if, under HB 142, the term "elder" was limited to Alaska Natives. MS. WATTS answered that it would include [elders] of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. CHAIR LYNN remarked that elders have a lot to contribute. 8:46:55 AM REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ said she liked HB 142, but suggested the word "elder" had a more cultural connotation. She said people of a certain age were considered "seniors," and she said she would like "to see this bill encompass that group, too." CHAIR LYNN echoed that older people who were non-Native were usually referred to as seniors. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG agreed that the term "elder" was usually used to recognize a Native Alaskan senior. He opined that a definition, one way or the other, was necessary to avoid confusion. CHAIR LYNN said when he hears the word "elder," he thinks of "Native Americans of one type or another." 8:48:50 AM REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER talked about strengthening "some of the terms that were already out there." For example, he said there was already an "Older Alaskans' Day." He indicated a willingness to accept an amendment. CHAIR LYNN asked for information related to "Older Alaskans' Day." REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked for the citation related to "Older Alaskans' Day." 8:49:56 AM MS. WATTS related that in 2006, Senate Bill 224 was introduced by Senator Gary Stevens to establish the second Wednesday in September each year as "Older Alaskans Day". She explained that the sponsor's choice to use the word "elder" was because of its definition, which denoted a person who was respected in the community and who had passed on his/her knowledge to other generations, regardless of ethnicity or cultural identification. She said the sponsor felt that "elder" reflected "an Alaskan perspective on an older person." Notwithstanding that, she echoed the bill sponsor's willingness to modify the language of the bill for clarification. CHAIR LYNN indicated he had no objection to the use of the word "elders". REPRESENTATIVE KELLER said he liked the word "elder", thought it was understood and had a unique meaning, and leaned toward keeping it in the bill. CHAIR LYNN said he thought of an elder as an older, wise person. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG again requested the citation. 8:52:13 AM MS. WATTS said it was found in AS 44.12.100, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Sec. 44.12.100. Older Alaskans' Day. The second Wednesday of September of each year is established as Older Alaskans' Day to honor residents of the state who are 60 years of age or older for the many contributions made by older Alaskans to the state. The day may be celebrated by public ceremonies and by quiet appreciation. 8:52:45 AM REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER said he thought "elder" had various connotations. Another use of the word was in reference to church elders. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked the bill sponsor if it was his intent to also honor church elders under HB 142. REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER answered, "Our intent is to honor all elders." REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said that added another dimension, and he asked, "Is there anybody else within the meaning of 'elder' that you're thinking of including?" REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER answered that his intent was not to specify what kind of elder, but "to strengthen the celebration of older Alaskans, older Americans, [and] elders." He said he thought there were a lot of terms that could explain that, and he thought it was fitting to add "elders" to the lexicon because there was already such a heavy use of the word "elder" in Alaska. 8:55:03 AM REPRESENTATIVE TALERICO stated his substantial preference for the term "elder" over "senior." He mentioned Elderhostel groups in Alaska. He said ["elder"] was a term of respect and, while "senior" may be commonly used in legal matters, on a personal basis people tend to use the term "elder" in a fond and compassionate way. CHAIR LYNN said he thought of an elder as a respected senior. REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said she would echo "that very same sentiment." She said she liked the definition of an elder as someone who had passed down his/her knowledge. She agreed with Representative Talerico regarding the preference of elder over senior. 8:56:40 AM ALBERT NINGEULOOK said he was an elder at 69 years of age. He talked about his background and schooling, including his current effort to earn a Ph.D. in Political Science. He said he was a member of the local elders committee in Shishmaref, as well as a member of the local school's strategic planning committee. He stated his support of HB 142. He said there were many elders in Alaska, from different ethnic groups, who had guided him and had a great impact on the person he had become. He recalled one elder telling him that opening one's eyes in the morning was like opening a present on Christmas because each day was a new gift. 8:59:31 AM MR. NINGEULOOK recited a poem he wrote in 1986, which read as follows [handwritten, with original punctuation provided]: A CHILD'S PLEA A CHILD WONDERING... WONDERING WHERE LOVED ONES HAD GONE HOW LIFE BEGAN IN CHANGING TIMES AND HOW LIFE WILL BE IN THE GROWN-UP YEARS A PRECIOUS CHILD SO FULL OF LIFE AND JOY WHOSE SHINING FACE RADIATES HOPE AND LOVE TO ALL THE WORLD AND A CHILD WHOSE SOUL IS SO INNOCENTLY PURE UNBLEMISHED FROM THIS WORLD'S STRIFE AND CARE A WONDERFUL CHILD WONDERING ABOUT SO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS OF THINGS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND THIS BEAUTIFUL UNREPLACEABLE CHILD PLEADING FOR HELP IN THESE CHANGING TIMES TIMES THAT CREATE CLOUDS OF QUESTIONS AND WONDERMENT IN A PRECIOUS CHILD'S MIND, HEART AND SOUL AND THE PAIN AND WONDERMENT OF NOT FINDING ANSWERS OR TO FIND A CARING PERSON TO ASK MAKES A CHILD CREATE LINES OF WONDERMENT ON A BEAUTIFUL FACE UNMARKED AND UNTOUCHED BY WORRYING ABOUT LIFE IT IS THEN THAT CARING PARENTS, RELATIVES AND SENIOR ELDERS CAN HELP THE CHILD BY ANSWERING AND SHOWING THE WAY WITH PATIENT UNDERSTANDING AND LOVING COMPASSION AND UNCLOUDING THE QUESTIONS AND WONDERMENTS AWAY WE ALL CAN HELP TO GUIDE A PRECIOUS CHILD WITH LOVE AND TENDER CARE A PRECIOUS CHILD WHO IS PLEADING FOR HELP AND GUIDANCE IN THESE CHALLENGING CHANGING TIMES!!! MR. NINGEULOOK said he wrote the poem in 1986. He said he went to high school at Mr. Edgecombe, and he mentioned a now deceased elder who was like a mother to him in Sitka. He stated his belief that "there are no sunsets in each one of our lives." He encouraged the committee to take the time needed to approve the proposed legislation. He talked about Winter Solstice and preparing for a harsh climate. He explained he had selected his poem to read to emphasize a child's point of view and the importance of elders. 9:03:44 AM CHAIR LYNN said it seemed that Mr. Ningeulook exemplified the definition of an elder, and he expressed appreciation for Mr. Ningeulook's previous remarks about opening one's eyes to a new day. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked about Mr. Ningeulook's Ph.D. MR. NINGEULOOK reiterated that he was focused on political science. He indicated that he was taking classes via the Internet, and he expressed appreciation for the ability to earn a degree at his age. He reemphasized his concern about the guidance of the next generation. He ventured that selecting a specific date on which to honor elders may remind young people about the vast knowledge that elders have. CHAIR LYNN closed public testimony on HB 142. 9:06:21 AM REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ withdrew her previously stated concern about using "elders" versus "seniors". She noted that the aforementioned statute, AS 44.12.100, covers seniors. She indicated that she liked the term "elder" because of the connotation of wisdom. 9:07:02 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report HB 142 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 142 was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.