HJR 12-GROUND-BASED MIDCOURSE DEFENSE SYSTEM    9:15:14 AM VICE CHAIR MEYER announced the consideration of HJR 12. LAURA PIERRE, Staff to Representative Nancy Dahlstrom, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HJR 12, said this resolution that would urge Congress to continue to support and fund the ground- based midcourse defense system. The program brings $250 million to the state annually, and it provides for 700 jobs including 200 guard member jobs. There has been talk that the new administration will not renew this program. This defense system has been successfully tested in shooting down a test launch in midcourse. The bill has additional cosponsors. She gave the committee an article about the threat from North Korea on launching a missile attack on the United States. The system would be able to shoot it down. All three members of Alaska's congressional delegation support the system and encourage continued funding. 9:17:16 AM VICE CHAIR MEYER noted that the bill doesn't go to a further committee. It looks fine to him. SENATOR FRENCH said he visited Fort Greely with Representative Dahlstrom a few years ago, and it was impressive. It is a fascinating installation with dedicated people. It a great thing and a worthwhile visit. The handout is interesting, and he quoted a North Korean speaking about South Korea: "If the puppet warmongers infringe on our inviolable dignity, even a bit, we will not only punish the provokers but reduce their stronghold to debris." It speaks to the belligerence of North Korea and the need to maintain a defense to its missile system. SENATOR FRENCH moved to report HJR 12 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There being no objection, HJR 12 moved out of committee.