SJR 7-NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS' MONUMENT  9:24:58 AM CHAIR STOLTZE called the meeting back to order. He announced that SJR 7 was before the committee. 9:25:34 AM SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, sponsor of SJR 7, stated that the resolution was based on an idea from the Vietnam Veterans' Conference to hold a nation-wide effort to get an American Indian Veterans' Memorial in the nation's capital. He said he sponsored a similar resolution several years ago, but time ran out. It is an effort to recognize the tremendous efforts and legacy of Native Americans and Native Alaskans. He noted there is no cost associated with the resolution. 9:26:45 AM KALYSSA MAILE, Staff, Senator Wielechowski, Alaska State Legislature, provided an overview of SJR 7. She explained that construction of a Native American Veterans' Memorial would give formal recognition for generations of Native veterans who have not been recognized in the nation's capital. In 1994, the Native American Veteran Memorial Establishment Act allowed a memorial to be built. Since then, support for a memorial has been growing, and in December of 2013, an amended version of the Act was passed. The memorial will be paid for by private donations from a variety of organizations. She concluded that this resolution expresses support for an American Indian Veterans Memorial, which would recognize Native Americans who have served in the military. 9:28:57 AM SENATOR COGHILL asked if other states have similar resolutions. MS. MAILE replied that Alaska would be the first state to pass a resolution and Florida is working on a draft of one. SENATOR COGHILL noted that there is an American Indian display near the Mall in Washington, D.C. He asked if the organization that sponsored that display is connected to the American Indian Veterans' Memorial project. MS. MAILE said yes. The organization has been working with Vietnam Veterans' Fund for the memorial to be located near the Vietnam Memorial. 9:30:18 AM SENATOR COGHILL asked if other states had introduced similar legislation. MS. MAILE answered not yet. CHAIR STOLTZE thought there was a WWII Native American statue. SENATOR HUGGINS said that is correct. CHAIR STOLTZE commented that it was inclusive of all Americans. SENATOR HUGGINS noted that Alaska is lucky that it has veterans in Congress. He asked if they had been contacted. 9:31:45 AM MS. MAILE answered that the project has all the approval it needs to go forward and is currently in the fundraising stage. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI announced that he would be happy to continue to work with the Congressional delegation. 9:32:34 AM SENATOR HUGGINS noted that Senator Sullivan is in town today and he would speak with him about this effort. CHAIR STOLTZE opined that Southeast Alaska communities and families have paid a higher price per capita related to the armed services. 9:33:55 AM MARCELLO QUINTO, President, Alaska Native Brotherhood, testified in support of SJR 7. He said he proudly served in the U.S. Navy for four years. He stated it is time that Alaska Native veterans are recognized for their service in many wars. 9:36:03 AM WILLIAM MARTIN, Past-President, Alaska Native Brotherhood, testified in support of SJR 7. He said they are pleased and honored that Native Americans are being recognized for their long history of service in the military. He concluded that they served in order to protect their families. He noted that their tribal organization will be writing a resolution in support of SJR 7. He pointed out that a member of the Iwo Jima Memorial is a Native American and he shared information about the Native Code Talkers. He described the pride for those who served. 9:40:48 AM WILLIAM SHAKELY, Commander, Southeast Alaska Native Veterans, testified in support of SJR 7. He said they organized in 1995 in order to help veterans who were not receiving their benefits. He told a story related to designing the Code Talker medal. Five Code Talkers are from Southeast Alaska. 9:42:47 AM CHAIR STOLTZE requested the names of the Code Talkers. MR. SHAKELY said they are Mark Jacobs, Jr., Harvey Jacobs, George Lewis, Jeff David, and Richard Bean. CHAIR STOLTZE said it would be appropriate to honor them. MR. SHAKELY thanked the legislature for its support of Native Alaska veterans. 9:45:06 AM CHAIR STOLTZE noted former Representative Bill Thomas is very supportive of recognizing veterans. 9:45:41 AM SENATOR HUGGINS shared war stories about Native Alaskans serving their country with pride. 9:48:31 AM MR. SHAKELY told a story about a soldier from Hoonah who became a sniper in WWII. 9:49:09 AM DAVID STEPHEN BOWERS, representing himself, testified in support of SJR 7. He related that he is a Seminole Indian and he works for the tribe. He said he has been working on this project since 2010. He related how the initiative began. In 2013, Congress approved a statue to be placed outside the National Museum of the American Indian and the fundraising would be done by the museum. He described his efforts to gather information, promote, and fund the education center to be located underground. 9:58:53 AM CHAIR STOLTZE thanked Mr. Bowers. SENATOR HUGGINS thanked Mr. Bowers. 10:00:48 AM RIC DAVIDGE, Director, Legislative Affairs, Vietnam Vets of America, testified in support of SJR 7. He recalled when he worked as the National Chair of Government Affairs for Vietnam Veterans of America. The proposal was brought up as a concern for the lack of representation of Native veterans. Since then, there has been a lot of work done. He discovered that American Natives were over-represented in war conflicts with no recognition of that service. He said he is delighted to support SJR 7. 10:02:52 AM CHAIR STOLTZE thanked Mr. Davidge. 10:03:29 AM MARY BROWN, representing herself, testified in support of SJR 7. She noted she is Tlingit and daughter of a Coast Guard member, sister of a Marine, and the proud mother of a son who served in Desert Storm. She said she feels strongly about sharing her feelings regarding this resolution. She shared her experience as a mother of one who served and testified in favor of this monument. She said she would like to see a monument in Alaska. CHAIR STOLTZE closed public testimony. 10:09:14 AM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report SJR 7 from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, it was so ordered.