HB 180-JUNE 1 AS CHILDREN'S DAY  8:17:37 AM CHAIR LYNN announced that the next order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 180, "An Act establishing the second Sunday of June each year as Children's Day." 8:17:41 AM MAILY MIRAMONTES, Intern, Representative Cathy Munoz, Alaska State Legislature, presented HB 180 on behalf of Representative Munoz, prime sponsor. She said the proposed joint resolution would make the second Sunday of June "Children's Day." The reason is to let Alaskan children know that Alaskans think they are important, care for them, and value them. She emphasized the importance of society taking every opportunity to let children know that they are the future of the country and that "we depend on them." MS. MIRAMONTES related that she grew up in Mexico where a day in April is set aside to celebrate children. She said the day was filled with fun activities, and family and friends gathered. She said the day was significant to her; as a child she always looked forward to it. She said some of her fondest childhood memories were formed on that day, and she opined that it would be wonderful for children in Alaska to have those same, positive memories. MS. MIRAMONTES stated that the positive impact of recognizing children on a special day would be long-lasting. She stated, "Constructive and positive memories could contribute for a better outcome to children's lives, and we should support any event that could contribute to this goal." She said Children's Day would give an opportunity to parents and members of the community to work on events that would reinforce the relationship to children. She said the country already celebrates Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in June, and recently added an Elder's Day, and adding Children's Day would complement those celebrations. She asked the committee to support HB 180. 8:20:19 AM CHAIR LYNN, after ascertaining no one further wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 180. 8:20:29 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report HB 180 out of committee with individual recommendations and a zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HB 180 was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.