SCR 2-RECOGNIZING MISS ALASKA & PAGEANT  9:01:10 AM CHAIR STOLTZE announced that the first order of business would be SCR 2. 9:01:30 AM SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SCR 2, explained that resolution recognizes the Miss Alaska and the Miss Alaska Scholarship Foundation Pageant. He said he introduced the bill on behalf of a constituent. He pointed out that the Sixth Alaska State Legislature passed the resolution in 1970 designating Miss Alaska as the official state hostess. The Miss Alaska Scholarship Pageant selects the Alaska representative for the Miss America Pageant. It is a subsidiary of the Miss America Organization, one of the largest scholarship programs in the world. He spoke of related community service projects. 9:03:58 AM CHAIR STOLTZE opened public testimony. 9:04:09 AM BLAIR ROBINSON, representing herself, testified in support of SCR 2. She spoke of the wonderful scholarship program she received as Miss Alaska 2003. She added that the pageant teaches young women about integrity and self-confidence and provides wholesome role models. 9:05:41 AM BONNIE FAULK, Board President, Miss Alaska Scholarship Foundation, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SCR 2. She shared that the program is a scholarship organization that focuses on education and community service. She said that last year the organization made available $47 million in scholarships and all profits go toward scholarships and the Children's Miracle Network. All staff are volunteers. She related that the University of Alaska provides eight one- year awards which the organization subsidizes. Alaska Pacific University also provides $23,000 in awards and the Alaska Career Academy provides $10,000 in awards. She listed the foundation's partners and the events they have hosted and attended. She noted that all contestants receive cash scholarships, win or lose. The foundation makes available about $120,000 annually for scholarships. She concluded that the resolution gives the Miss Alaska organization the distinction of being the oldest pageant in the world and the largest provider of scholarships. 9:09:45 AM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked what it means to be the official hostess of the State of Alaska. MS. FAULK replied that Miss Alaska attends all VIP events when dignitaries come to Alaska. She also raise funds for charitable events. 9:11:13 AM SENATOR COGHILL inquired if there are competing organizations not a part of Miss Alaska. MS. FAULK replied that there are other pageants, but Miss Alaska is a scholarship program. She highlighted the special traits of the organization. CHAIR STOLTZE closed public testimony. He noted a zero fiscal note. 9:13:59 AM SENATOR COGHILL moved to report SCR 2 from committee with individual recommendations and accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, the motion carried.