HCR 2-PURPLE HEART STATE 9:06:58 AM CHAIR DYSON reconvened the meeting and announced that HCR 2 was before the committee. 9:07:05 AM SHELLY HUGHES, sponsor of HCR 2, introduced the bill. She explained that HCR 2 proclaims Alaska as a Purple Heart State, honoring the service and sacrifices of our nation's men and women in uniform wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans. She noted that Purple Heart recipients don't clamor for attention or recognition. She requested that the committee grant them the honor and distinction they truly deserve. She provided the history of the Purple Heart, the oldest military decoration in the world that is still in use. It was established by George Washington during the Revolutionary War and discontinued afterwards. On George Washington's 200th birthday, it was promoted by General Douglas MacArthur for the army to use. In 1942, President Roosevelt extended it to all branches of the military. In 1958, Congress chartered the Military Order of the Purple Heart. In 1962, President Kennedy authorized a posthumous award and in 1984, President Reagan authorized awards as a result of terrorist attacks. She related that because paper records were often lost in fires and battles, it is unknown how many Purple Hearts recipients there have been. The best guess is about 1.7 million. In Alaska the Military Order of the Purple Heart has 300 members. The Department of Motor Vehicles has issued 716 Purple Heart license plates. She pointed out that Alaska has the highest per capita rate of veterans. She assumed that many unidentified Purple Heart recipients are living quiet lives in Alaska. She noted by proclaiming Alaska as a purple Heart State, it will be joining four other states and 48 cities across the nation, four of those in Alaska. She spoke of the honor of recognizing recipients, as well as providing information about services and benefits. She concluded that it is fitting to declare Alaska a Purple Heart state. 9:11:48 AM VIRGINIA SMILEY, staff, Representative Shelley Hughes, related a personal story about her father, a recipient of a Purple Heart. She said it is to the memory and courage of her father and others that recognition is requested when Alaska becomes the biggest Purple Heart state. 9:13:30 AM CHAIR DYSON asked if state recipients have to qualify for the federal Purple Heart. REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES clarified that HCR 2 would recognize Alaska as a Purple Heart state as a sign of support to those recipients who have received federal recognition. CHAIR DYSON asked why recipients would want this resolution passed. REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES replied that constituent veterans requested this resolution because they felt it was important to recognize Purple Heart recipients and to provide information about services available to them. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he supports HCR 2. He asked if there is a fiscal impact. REPRESENTATIVE HUGHES said no. 9:15:33 AM TIM ARMSTRONG, Member, Military Order of the Purple Heart - Alaska, testified in favor of HCR 2. He explained that the Military Order of the Purple Heart is a congressionally chartered veterans' organization differing slightly from others, as it is comprised 100 percent of combat veterans who have sustained injuries directly resulting from hostile action in the theater of war. He related that the Military Order of the Purple Heart provides assistance and support to veterans across the nation. Alaska has the highest ratio of veterans and has always recognized the contributions of veterans. He spoke of the awarding of high school diplomas to veterans who interrupted their education. He described the Purple Heart Highway and Purple Heart Day. Along with other state symbols, he opined that there would be overwhelming support for Alaska to be a Purple Heart State. CHAIR DYSON said Mr. Armstrong was wounded in Vietnam. MR. ARMSTRONG shared his personal story as an infantryman. He recalled how the governor of California, Ronald Reagan, awarded him his Purple Heart. He maintained that he is one of the lucky ones. He spoke in favor of the Purple Heart Highway sign which bears the photo of his own Purple Heart. He said he also possesses a Purple Heart Highway sign. CHAIR DYSON thanked him for his services. 9:21:17 AM HENRY HUNTER, SR., Member, Military Order of the Purple Heart - Alaska, said he is also a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He testified in support of HCR 2. He shared his families' military history and his personal story regarding his service in Vietnam in 1968. He said he believes that if Alaska becomes a Purple Heart State, it will help all Alaska veterans receive all of their benefits. He said he was speaking for all veterans in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. He read from an article that describes which holidays mean the most to veterans; Memorial Day and the 4th of July. 9:26:47 AM CHAIR DYSON thanked Mr. Hunter for his service. KENNETH ROSS, Member, Military Order of the Purple Heart - Alaska, explained that his job as Service Officer for Vietnam Veterans of America - Alaska, is to find all the veterans who live in rural Alaska. He said he is a recipient of the Purple Heart. He related that he helps veterans receive benefits that are their due. He shared his family history. He testified in support of HCR 2. CHAIR DYSON thanked Mr. Ross for his service and for his current job. He asked how successfully TriCare is working. MR. ROSS said people are reluctant to sign up for TriCare. He thought it would work if they would apply for it. CHAIR DYSON said he has heard that veterans are not satisfied and they are not getting the attention they need. He thought there was a new VA director, so things might change. He thanked Mr. Ross for his service and his work on the behalf of veterans. 9:31:03 AM SENATOR COGHILL moved to report HCR 2 from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HCR 2 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.