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HR001

Resolve: HR001

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HR 1

Source Root: HR001

Establishing a House Special Committee on International Trade and Tourism.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

WHEREAS international trade and tourism are of increasing importance to the economy of the state; and

WHEREAS the legislature should be well-informed about developments in international trade and tourism in order to plan for the state's future; and

WHEREAS the state should promote tourism and enhance opportunities for visitors to experience the life and scenic grandeur of the state; and

WHEREAS the state should promote and facilitate the export of the products and services of the state;

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives that a House Special Committee on International Trade and Tourism is established to study issues relating to international trade and tourism; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the speaker of the House of Representatives shall determine the number of representatives to be members of the committee, and shall appoint the members and designate a member to chair the committee; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Special Committee on International Trade and Tourism may meet during and between sessions of the Eighteenth Alaska State Legislature, and is terminated on the convening of the First Session of the Nineteenth Alaska State Legislature.

HR002

Resolve: HR002

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HR 2

Source Root: HR002

Establishing a House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

WHEREAS a large number of state residents currently serve in the military forces, work for the military, or are veterans, and the military plays a vital role in the economy of the state; and

WHEREAS there is a need for a comprehensive review of issues involving military and veterans' affairs;

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives that the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs is established to study issues, review laws, and propose legislation relating to military and veterans' affairs; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the speaker of the house shall appoint members to the committee and designate a member to chair the committee; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs may meet during and between sessions of the Eighteenth Alaska State Legislature and is terminated on the convening of the First Session of the Nineteenth Alaska State Legislature.

HR003

Resolve: HR003

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HR 3 am

Source Root: HR003

Establishing a House Special Committee on Fisheries.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

WHEREAS Alaska's subsistence fisheries is an important use of our fisheries resources; and

WHEREAS the commercial fishing industry is one of Alaska's largest renewable resource industries; and

WHEREAS sport fishing plays a significant role in the state tourism industry; and

WHEREAS fishing for personal use helps to define the Alaska lifestyle for many state residents; and

WHEREAS the Alaska State Legislature must be well informed on all issues related to the fisheries of Alaska;

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives that a House Special Committee on Fisheries is established to study fishery issues relevant to Alaska; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the speaker of the House of Representatives shall determine the number of representatives to be members of the committee, appoint the members, and designate a member to chair the committee; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Special Committee on Fisheries may meet during and between sessions of the Eighteenth Alaska State Legislature and is terminated on the convening of the First Session of the Nineteenth Alaska State Legislature.

HR004

Resolve: HR004

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HR 4

Source Root: HR004

Establishing a House Special Committee on Oil and Gas.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

WHEREAS the state's dependence on oil revenue requires that the Alaska State Legislature be well informed on all aspects related to the state's oil and gas resources;

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives that a House Special Committee on Oil and Gas is established to study issues relating to oil and gas resources in the state; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Special Committee on Oil and Gas may meet during and between sessions of the Eighteenth Alaska State Legislature, and is terminated on the convening of the First Session of the Nineteenth Alaska State Legislature.

HR005

Resolve: HR005

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HR 5

Source Root: HR005

Establishing a House Constitutional Revision Task Force to consider and recommend alternative methods by which the state constitution may be revised.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

WHEREAS the constitution of a state is of vital importance in expressing the collective agreement of a society as to how the state will conduct its affairs; and

WHEREAS Alaska's Constitution was adopted 37 years ago and, developed as it was following an examination and analysis of the other state constitutions as they then read, the document was acknowledged at the time as a model state constitution; and

WHEREAS Alaska is a young state, with rapidly changing economic, social, communication, and political factors; and

WHEREAS the state's population has at least doubled since the 1955 - 1956 Constitutional Convention; and

WHEREAS the state constitution provides for two means of amendment, a decennial vote on convening another constitutional convention and use of resolutions approved by the legislature placing specific amendments on the ballot; and

WHEREAS neither method of revising the state constitution lends itself to adequate citizen involvement in any contemplated changes to the state constitution; and

WHEREAS rapid changes in the state's population, vastly improved statewide communications, and an interest and desire on the part of many of the state's citizens to have a meaningful role in controlling their own destinies have led to calls for finding other ways of preparing, presenting, and ratifying changes to the constitution that would allow greater public participation in the process; and

WHEREAS an exploration of possible alternatives to the two existing methods of amending the state constitution would be beneficial to the legislature and to the people of the state.

BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives establishes a five-member House Constitutional Revision Task Force to consider and recommend alternative methods by which the Alaska Constitution may be revised; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint three members of the House of Representatives and two public members to the House Constitutional Revision Task Force, and shall designate one of the members appointed to chair the task force; the members shall be chosen in an effort to give the task force a membership that has the broadest backgrounds, experience, and perspectives possible; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Constitutional Revision Task Force shall study alternative methods by which the state constitution may be revised, receive comments from the public about proposed alternative methods, and prepare and present to the House of Representatives its recommendations for alternative methods for revising the state constitution; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the expenses of the House Constitutional Revision Task Force be paid from money otherwise appropriated for the work of the Alaska State Legislature; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Constitutional Revision Task Force is authorized to meet between and during the sessions of the Eighteenth Alaska State Legislature, and may hold public hearings and obtain information; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Constitutional Revision Task Force shall prepare and submit to the House of Representatives of the Eighteenth Alaska State Legislature a preliminary report of its recommendations no later than February 1, 1994, and shall prepare and submit a final report of its recommendations no later than April 1, 1994; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the House Constitutional Revision Task Force is terminated on the date of convening of the First Session of the Nineteenth Alaska State Legislature.

HR006

Resolve: HR006

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HR 6 am

Source Root: HR006

Urging the Environmental Protection Agency to request a moratorium from the Congress for the MTBE oxygenated fuels programs in Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

WHEREAS preliminary findings from an epidemiology study performed by the Department of Health and Social Services, released on December 23, 1992, led to the recommendation that the oxygenated fuels program in Anchorage should be suspended; and

WHEREAS preliminary findings from an epidemiology study performed by the Department of Health and Social Services, released on December 11, 1992, led to the recommendation that the oxygenated fuels program in Fairbanks should be suspended; and

WHEREAS the health effects of blending methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) with gasoline are unknown, especially in exceptionally cold climates such as in Anchorage and Fairbanks; and

WHEREAS a significant number of Anchorage and Fairbanks residents have asked for a suspension of the MTBE oxygenated fuels program through petition signatures, opinions expressed at public forums, letters, phone calls, and public opinion messages to legislators; and

WHEREAS there are other methods, such as natural gas vehicles and increased bus service, for reducing carbon monoxide pollution; and

WHEREAS the oxygenated fuels program could be reintroduced if MTBE-blended oxyfuels are determined to be safe to human health;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State House of Representatives urges the Environmental Protection Agency to request a moratorium from the Congress for the Anchorage and Fairbanks oxygenated fuels programs so that they are not resumed for the winter of 1993 - 1994 unless complete and conclusive studies clearly show that MTBE- blended fuels are not harmful to our citizens' health and that MTBE-blended fuels are the most effective way to reduce carbon monoxide pollution in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to Carol M. Browner, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress; and to the Honorable Tom Fink, Mayor, Municipality of Anchorage; and the Honorable Jim Sampson, Mayor, Fairbanks North Star Borough.

HR007

Resolve: HR007

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HR 8

Source Root: HR008

Relating to adjournment of the First Session of the Eighteenth Alaska State Legislature, and certifying to Governor Walter J. Hickel the disagreement between the two houses respecting the time of the legislature's adjournment.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

WHEREAS, under art. II, sec. 10 of the state constitution, if the two houses of the legislature cannot agree on the time for adjournment, either house may certify the disagreement to the governor; and

WHEREAS, upon receipt of a certification of disagreement from one house, the governor may adjourn the legislature; and

WHEREAS the House of Representatives has completed its business and stands ready to adjourn, but cannot reach agreement with the Senate on the time for adjournment; and

WHEREAS the House members of the Eighteenth Alaska State Legislature desire to conclude the regular session in conformity with the constitution and laws of the state and the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature and without causing offense to our colleagues in the other body;

BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives, having concluded its business and being now ready to adjourn from the First Session of the Alaska State Legislature, certifies to Governor Walter J. Hickel under art. II, sec. 10 its disagreement with the Senate over the time of adjournment of the First Regular Session of the Eighteenth Alaska State Legislature; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives respectfully requests the governor to exercise the authority given under art. II, sec. 10 of the state constitution and to immediately adjourn the First Regular Session of the Eighteenth Alaska State Legislature.

LR001

Resolve: LR001

Year: 1993

Source Bill: SCS HJR 24 (STA) am S

Source Root: HJR024

Relating to adequate housing for military personnel and their dependents, directing the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation and certain municipalities to develop a joint program for improving the inventory of housing for those personnel, and urging the governor, the commissioner of natural resources, and local officials to identify public land that might be made available for that housing.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS the military forces and facilities in Alaska are an important component of national security interests in the Pacific region; and

WHEREAS there are 25,556 Alaskans currently on active duty in the military forces and 8,417 Alaskans are employed by the military; and

WHEREAS military personnel and their families are important contributors to the communities adjacent to the military bases and posts at which they are stationed and play a vital role in the state's economy; and

WHEREAS the President of the United States appointed a base realignment and closure commission to reduce the number of military facilities nationwide; and

WHEREAS the commission has specified that "the ability of both the existing and potential receiving communities' infrastructures to support military personnel" is an important element of the criteria by which the commission determines which facilities to retain and which to close; and

WHEREAS housing is a critical component of infrastructure; and

WHEREAS it is important to the economy of Alaska to ensure that there is housing on or within proximity to the principal military bases and posts in the state that is suitable for military personnel and their families and that meets current United States Department of Defense housing standards and requirements; and

WHEREAS reductions in military spending have diminished or eliminated options such as those authorized by the sec. 801, Military Family Housing Leasing Program, 10 U.S.C. 2828, and the sec. 802, Military Housing Rental Guarantee Program, 10 U.S.C. 2821, that would otherwise be available to assist in addressing the shortfall in military housing; and

WHEREAS the Alaska State Legislature, being committed to continuing the strong partnership that has historically existed between the state and the military, understands that there is a need to reduce or eliminate any shortage in the number of units of housing in this state that are suitable for military personnel; and

WHEREAS the Alaska State Legislature is interested in working to reduce or eliminate that housing shortage.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Governor to direct the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, in cooperation with officials of the Municipality of Anchorage, the Matanuska Susitna Borough, and the Fairbanks North Star Borough, to develop or recommend self-sustaining housing programs that will provide to military personnel and their dependents housing, including upgrades to existing available housing, that meets the standards and requirements set by the United States Department of Defense and that conforms to the maximum allowable housing cost off-base housing allowance for military personnel; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor, the commissioner of natural resources and officials of the Municipality of Anchorage, the Matanuska Susitna Borough and the Fairbanks North Star Borough identify public land that might be made available for improvement of the inventory of that housing; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor, the commissioner of natural resources, and the board of directors of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation submit a report of their efforts in response to this resolution to the legislature not later than the 10th day of the Second Session of the Eighteenth Alaska State Legislature.

COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Les Aspin, Secretary of Defense; to Major General Hugh L. Cox III, Adjutant General, and Commissioner of Military and Veterans Affairs; to the Honorable Glenn A. Olds, Commissioner of Natural Resources; to Barry L. Hulin, Executive Director of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation; to the Honorable Tom Fink, Mayor of the Municipality of Anchorage; to the Honorable Ernie Brannon, Mayor of the Matanuska Susitna Borough; to the Honorable Jim Sampson, Mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough; to the Honorable Jim Hayes, Mayor of the City of Fairbanks; and to the Honorable Lute Cunningham, Mayor of the City of North Pole.

LR002

Resolve: LR002

Year: 1993

Source Bill: SCR 1

Source Root: SCR001

Relating to the twenty-seventh annual Boys' State.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS the twenty-seventh annual Boys' State will be held June 5 - 12, 1993, at the Elks Camp in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough under the sponsorship of the American Legion and cooperating organizations; and

WHEREAS this fine annual program is dedicated to increasing the delegates' awareness of their future roles in state and local government as well as promoting interest and knowledge about the operation of our system of government; and

WHEREAS it is only through an admirable combination of volunteer effort and the enterprising talents of generous individuals who do not receive government or taxpayer monetary support that this week-long youth citizenship exercise known as Boys' State takes place; and

WHEREAS the legislature encourages state and local legislators and other public officials and agencies to volunteer their services and to provide copies of state publications and materials related to the program;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature applauds the sponsors of and participants in the twenty-seventh annual Boys' State program; commends those government officials and agencies and private individuals and organizations who support and participate in this exercise in youth citizenship; and promises to continue to provide legislative materials, advice, and encouragement to the Boys' State program as it does to similar worthy civic efforts.

LR003

Resolve: LR003

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HCR 6 am S

Source Root: HCR006

Relating to Armed Forces History Month.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS the history of the United States of America reveals that our peaceful tranquility and pursuit of happiness have often been threatened or interrupted by the enemies of freedom; and

WHEREAS thousands of Alaska's sons and daughters have defended our nation during peace and armed conflict; and

WHEREAS the presence and valiant action of military forces in our state have played a vital role in preserving the freedom of all Alaskans; and

WHEREAS military history and the sacrifices of our veterans have been an integral part of Alaska's past; and

WHEREAS it is important for Alaskans to understand our military history and its role in keeping America free so our citizens can enjoy the blessings of liberty; and

WHEREAS learning military history better prepares us to understand the complex problems associated with the global challenges we will face in the future;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Governor to direct the Commissioner of Education to encourage the integration of military history and the contributions of our veterans into Alaska's social studies curriculum; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature designates the month of May as "Armed Forces History Month" in Alaska.

LR004

Resolve: LR004

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HCR 5

Source Root: HCR005

Relating to the twenty-fifth annual Girls' State.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS the twenty-fifth annual Girls' State will be held June 6 - 13, 1993, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks under the sponsorship of the American Legion Auxiliary and cooperating organizations; and

WHEREAS this outstanding annual program of the American Legion Auxiliary ranks high among the efforts of several Alaska organizations to bring to the youth delegates an awareness of their future roles in state and local government; and

WHEREAS this week-long youth citizen exercise of Girls' State is made possible by an admirable combination of volunteer service and the free enterprise of generous people and organizations without placing a financial burden on government or on the taxpayer; and

WHEREAS it is consistent with these standards for the legislature to encourage state and local legislators and other public officials and agencies to volunteer their services and provide copies of state publications and materials that form an important part of the program;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature salutes the sponsors of and participants in the twenty-fifth annual Girls' State program; commends those government officials and agencies and private individuals and organizations who support and participate in this exercise in youth citizenship; and pledges to continue to provide legislative materials, advice, and encouragement to the Girls' State program as it does to similar worthy civic efforts.

LR005

Resolve: LR005

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HJR 24

Source Root: HJR024

Relating to implementation of the Aleutian Trade Act of 1990.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS Alaskans working and living in remote areas of the Aleutian Islands chain have historically relied on fish tender vessels to provide coastal freighter services for general and fisheries cargo in support of Aleutian Islands chain communities and their own fishing operations; and

WHEREAS containerized freight vessels concentrate on high volume ports on a seasonal basis and provide virtually no interport service in the Aleutian Islands chain; and

WHEREAS foreign freighters are unregulated, provide only itinerant freight services to the Aleutian Islands chain, take only the most profitable freight cargoes, and detract from the coastal freighter service provided by domestic fish tender vessels in the Aleutian trade; and

WHEREAS the fish tender vessels in the Aleutian trade have a proven safety record over the past decades; and

WHEREAS the United States Coast Guard has recently proposed vessel safety regulations (CGD 88-079a) to implement the Aleutian Trade Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-595, Title VI) and the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-424), which, if adopted, would seriously jeopardize the continued ability of fish tender vessels in the Aleutian trade to provide coastal freighter service by requiring cost prohibitive retrofits and alterations for these fish tender vessels; and

WHEREAS 46 U.S.C. 4502(e)(2) expressly prohibits the adoption of vessel safety regulations that require alterations to vessels constructed before the effective date of vessel safety regulations proposed by the United States Coast Guard; and

WHEREAS the Alaska State Legislature strongly believes that it is in the best interest of Alaskans living and working on the Aleutian Islands chain, to continue, and not disrupt, the existing coastal freighter service provided by fish tender vessels in the Aleutian trade and to encourage competition among the providers of freight service in the Aleutian Islands chain; and

WHEREAS comments on the proposed vessel safety regulations must be received by the Executive Secretary of the Marine Safety Council by February 28, 1993;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests that the United States Coast Guard comply with the directive of the Congress under 46 U.S.C. 4502(e)(2) and not adopt vessel safety regulations that require alterations of a vessel or equipment of a vessel used in the Aleutian trade so as to not disrupt essential freight service to the Aleutian Islands chain.

COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States; the Honorable Federico Pena, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation; Admiral J. William Kime, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; the Executive Secretary, Marine Safety Council, U.S. Coast Guard; and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.

LR006

Resolve: LR006

Year: 1993

Source Bill: SJR 27

Source Root: SJR027

Relating to United States Coast Guard commercial fishing vessel safety regulations.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS the United States Coast Guard has proposed regulations on commercial fishing vessel safety; and

WHEREAS the Coast Guard has not allowed sufficient time for commercial fishermen and the commercial fishing industry to study the complex proposed regulations and to meaningfully respond to the proposed regulations; and

WHEREAS the proposed regulations may be difficult for existing commercial fishing vessels to meet and may pose a significant financial burden on commercial fishermen and the commercial fishing industry; and

WHEREAS the proposed regulations do not recognize the necessity to continually alter and improve fishing vessels to enhance the vessel's performance;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the United States Coast Guard to

(1) extend the comment period on proposed commercial fishing vessel safety regulations in order to provide commercial fishermen and the commercial fishing industry a total of at least 120 days to comment on the proposed regulations;

(2) hold public hearings on proposed commercial fishing vessel safety regulations before closing the comment period on the proposed regulations;

(3) respond to suggestions made by commercial fishermen and the commercial fishing industry regarding stability tests, bulkhead changes on existing vessels, and other topics important to commercial fishermen and the commercial fishing industry;

(4) incorporate into the proposed commercial fishing vessel safety regulations the suggestions and recommendations made by private or independent naval architects familiar with commercial fishing and commercial fishing vessels on the Pacific Coast;

(5) propose commercial fishing vessel safety regulations for commercial fishing vessels that are under 79 feet in length only after the commercial fishing industry has accepted international commercial fishing vessel safety standards; and

(6) delay the effective date of final commercial fishing vessel safety regulations applicable to existing and new commercial fishing vessels for a minimum of one year after the final regulations are published.

LR007

Resolve: LR007

Year: 1993

Source Bill: CSHJR 21 (JUD)

Source Root: HJR021

Honoring Thurgood Marshall, 1908 - 1993.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS Thurgood Marshall was committed to the belief that the United States Constitution protects the rights of all Americans; and

WHEREAS Thurgood Marshall devoted his life to protecting the civil rights of individuals and was a tireless leader in the legal battle to eliminate racial discrimination and promote human rights and equal opportunity; and

WHEREAS Thurgood Marshall graduated with honors from Howard University Law School in 1933; and

WHEREAS, as a lawyer, Thurgood Marshall took the lead in challenging whites-only primary elections and explicit racial discrimination in housing; and

WHEREAS, during his 25 years as legal counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Thurgood Marshall won 29 of the 32 cases that he argued before the United States Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS Thurgood Marshall's most famous case, while legal counsel for the NAACP, was the landmark Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka school desegregation case in which a unanimous United States Supreme Court "outlawed" racial segregation in public education and overruled the outmoded doctrine that allowed "separate but equal" education for black children in public schools; and

WHEREAS the appointment of Thurgood Marshall to the United States Supreme Court by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967 followed a successful legal career as a civil rights attorney, court of appeals judge, and United States Solicitor General; and

WHEREAS Thurgood Marshall was the first African-American to serve on the United States Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS Thurgood Marshall served 24 years on the United States Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, as a Justice on the United States Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall sought to protect people from governmental infringement of their rights to fair and equal treatment under the law, free speech, due process, and privacy; and

WHEREAS Thurgood Marshall supported affirmative action programs, legal protections for criminal defendants and the poor, and the rights of women; and

WHEREAS President Bill Clinton has said of Thurgood Marshall, "Every American should be grateful for the contributions he has made as an advocate and as a justice of the United States Supreme Court."; and

WHEREAS Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor also said of Thurgood Marshall, "We've lost a true American hero. He left behind a legacy of hope of racial equality."; and

WHEREAS Thurgood Marshall died January 24, 1993;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature joins the Nation in mourning the passing of Thurgood Marshall; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature salutes and honors Thurgood Marshall, a great American, and hopes that his life will be an inspiration to all Americans to strive against injustice and discrimination wherever they are found.

COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to Mrs. Cecilia Suyat Marshall; and the Honorable William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice, United States Supreme Court.

LR008

Resolve: LR008

Year: 1993

Source Bill: CSSJR 19 (RLS)

Source Root: SJR019

Requesting the United States Air Force to rename Shemya Air Force Base to Eareckson Air Force Base.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS Shemya Air Force Base is the only air force base in Alaska without a dedicated name; and

WHEREAS Major William O. Eareckson arrived in Alaska when his squadron was deployed to Elmendorf Field in April 1941 before the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Japan, served in Alaska until after the recapture of Attu Island and Kiska Island in 1943, and was promoted to Colonel while serving in Alaska; and

WHEREAS Colonel Eareckson was a military leader and active combatant in the Aleutian Campaign of World War II; and

WHEREAS Colonel Eareckson received numerous decorations for his service in Alaska, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal, the Navy Cross, and the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, after leaving Alaska, Colonel Eareckson participated in battles in the Pacific Theater to recapture Tarawa, Kwajalein, Palau, Hollandia, and Guam during World War II, served in Korea during the Korean War, and received additional decorations for this service; and

WHEREAS Colonel Eareckson's devotion to his duty and men was unflinching, his leadership inspiring, his courage unfailing, and his pride in his service and in his country was a way of life; and

WHEREAS the 50th Anniversary of the landing of U.S. troops on Shemya Island in the Aleutian Islands is May 28, 1993;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature endorses the dedication of Shemya Air Force Base as Eareckson Air Force Base; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Department of the Air Force to approve the renaming of Shemya Air Force Base as Eareckson Air Force Base.

COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States; the Honorable Les Aspin, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense; the Honorable Michael B. Donley, Acting Secretary of the Air Force; the Commanding Officer, Shemya Air Force Base, U.S. Air Force; and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.

LR009

Resolve: LR009

Year: 1993

Source Bill: CSHCR 10 (HES) am

Source Root: HCR010

Relating to allowing the state the right to determine and impose sanctions on motor vehicle drivers.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS the State of Alaska is concerned with drug abuse by its citizens and has enacted numerous laws and initiated programs aimed at reducing both the demand for and supply of illegal drugs; and

WHEREAS the State of Alaska currently revokes the driver's licenses of persons convicted of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs; and

WHEREAS 23 U.S.C. 159(a) mandates the withholding of certain federal-aid highway funds from states that by October 1, 1993, fail to either

(1) enact legislation requiring suspension of an individual's driver's license upon conviction of a violation of the federal Controlled Substances Act or any drug offense; or

(2) file a certification from the Governor that the Governor is opposed to the enactment of such a law and that the legislature has adopted a resolution expressing its opposition to such a law; and

WHEREAS failure of this legislature to take either mandated action will result in the withholding of federal-aid highway funds; and

WHEREAS actions of the Congress to coerce states into passing ineffective laws are inappropriate; and

WHEREAS the State of Alaska has and will continue to address illegal drugs in effective and cost beneficial ways;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature certifies that it is opposed to the requirement by the federal government that the state enact legislation to revoke or suspend the driver's license of a person convicted of a drug offense if the offense does not involve the operation of a motor vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature will continue its efforts in drug abuse education and enforcement programs and will commit its limited resources to programs that, based on experience in Alaska, have a reasonable chance of reducing drug abuse; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is respectfully requested to certify the Governor's opposition to adoption of legislation requiring revocation of the driver's license of a person convicted of a drug offense.

LR010

Resolve: LR010

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HJR 18

Source Root: HJR018

Relating to establishment of a fishing community at Adak.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS the tensions of the "Cold War" have subsided and numerous military installations are being totally or partially closed by the Department of Defense; and

WHEREAS the Adak Naval Base has all of the facilities and infrastructure of a small city; and

WHEREAS, with the reductions currently in progress at the Adak Naval Base, many of the facilities on the base will be excess to the needs of the military; and

WHEREAS Adak Island has a number of natural harbors in close proximity to major fishery resources; and

WHEREAS the opportunity exists to develop a "state of the art" model fishing community on Adak Island; and

WHEREAS history has shown that military bases and civilian communities can co- exist with benefits to both;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy to release a portion of the Adak Island Naval Reserve to the State of Alaska for the development of a model fishing community on Adak Island.

COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States; the Honorable Al Gore, Jr., Vice-President of the United States and President of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Les Aspin, Secretary of the Department of Defense; and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.

LR011

Resolve: LR011

Year: 1993

Source Bill: HCR 16

Source Root: HCR016

Relating to establishing the coal policy of the state.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS a healthy future for Alaska's coal industry depends on the perception among foreign and domestic buyers that the state supports coal development; and

WHEREAS a vibrant coal industry is a benefit to the state and its citizens; and

WHEREAS the export potential of Alaska coal and the maintenance of the coal industry's current small share of international coal exports are of vital importance to the future success of Alaska's coal industry; and

WHEREAS competition against Alaska coal exports is international rather than domestic in nature; and

WHEREAS in-state domestic use of coal can make a very important contribution to long-term power supplies and power supply costs; and

WHEREAS a vibrant coal industry will enhance receipts to the state in the form of mining license and corporate income taxes and lease rentals and royalties; and

WHEREAS the export of Alaska's coal will substantially enhance the gross state product and will have a positive effect on the trade balance of the United States;

BE IT RESOLVED by the Alaska State Legislature that it is the official policy of the state to foster the responsible development and expansion of its domestic and export coal industry; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the state shall exercise all prudent and expeditious means to maintain and expand Alaska's current and future coal production and export market share; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature shall work diligently with the Governor and the Governor's administration to identify unwarranted impediments to the growth of Alaska's coal industry and shall develop strategies to eliminate or mitigate the adverse effects of these impediments; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the state, in recognition of the benefits of a vibrant coal industry, shall endeavor to maintain stable royalty and coal industry taxation policies; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests that the Governor and the Governor's administration, particularly the Department of Commerce and Economic Development, assist the Legislature in taking a leadership role in the planning and evaluation of existing infrastructure and the need for the development of new infrastructure and in the review of transportation modes and rates in an effort to maximize efficient capacity utilization and reduce unit costs; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Governor to assist the Legislature in seeking a waiver to the Jones Act for bulk commodities of low unit value such as coal; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Governor and the administration to assist it in fostering commercial demonstrations of new coal technologies that hold the potential to meet the state's energy needs and that can produce value-added products from Alaska coal; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that it is in the best interests of the state for the state to maintain control over the coal regulatory program, to adequately fund the management and enforcement of the program, and to continue to review and update the coal regulatory program to ensure that state primacy in coal regulation is maintained.

COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Governor, and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.

LR012

Resolve: LR012

Year: 1993

Source Bill: CSSJR 25 (CRA) am

Source Root: SJR025

Urging the federal government to recognize the dire water and sanitation conditions in rural Alaska and to become a full partner with this state in improving this health-threatening situation.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

WHEREAS Alaskans living in over 135 rural communities throughout the state have substandard and inadequate water and sewer facilities; and

WHEREAS this lack of basic facilities results in many of these rural Alaskans having to drink untreated water from ponds, creeks, or rivers and having to use a bucket as a toilet or an outhouse as a bathroom facility; and

WHEREAS this lack of basic facilities often results in uncontained sewage pooling in close vicinity to homes, in liquid wastes leaching into the waters used for drinking, and in exposing children to raw sewage in their play areas; and

WHEREAS this lack of basic facilities is causing a critical human health and safety crisis in rural Alaska as evidenced by an alarmingly high incidence of potentially life- threatening diseases, such as hepatitis A and meningitis; and

WHEREAS Alaska's rural population is projected to double by the year 2010, further compounding this health crisis and exposing many rural residents to diseases that would be preventable with basic sanitation facilities; and

WHEREAS rural Alaska has a history of cycles of waterborne disease epidemics stemming from unsafe water and sanitation systems, and state epidemiologists report hepatitis A is currently beginning another new cycle of that disease; and

WHEREAS the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development continues to design and build homes in rural Alaska without adequate provision for safe sewage disposal or in-home drinking water; and

WHEREAS the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation established the Alaska Sanitation Task Force, consisting of 27 federal, state, Native, and regional organizations, to analyze these important issues and provide recommendations for action; and

WHEREAS the implementation of the recommendations of the Alaska Sanitation Task Force involves the joint commitment of the state, local and federal governments to improve the living standards, public health, and quality of life of rural Alaskans; and

WHEREAS the governor has directed the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and commissioners of other affected state departments to use their best efforts to utilize available resources to address this critical health problem; and

WHEREAS the Alaska State Legislature recognizes the important work done by the Alaska Sanitation Task Force and urges early implementation of the task force's findings and recommendations by the state government in partnership with the federal government, local government, Native regional nonprofit corporations, and others to address these challenges; and

WHEREAS this state effort will not be successful without the commitment of the federal government to meet its responsibilities and obligations to these rural residents, many of whom are Alaska Natives; and

WHEREAS the federal government, through the United States Environmental Protection Agency, has the capacity to assist in correcting the sanitation conditions in rural Alaska as exemplified by its ongoing efforts in other areas of the country such as the American Southwest Colonias where border town communities are receiving assistance in establishing basic water and sewage facilities; and

WHEREAS a national effort similar to that currently being undertaken in the American Southwest Colonias will enable accelerated transformation for residents in rural Alaska from substandard sanitation conditions.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the President of the United States to direct the administrators of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Indian Health Service to join in a partnership with the State of Alaska to finance and implement a long-term, comprehensive effort to improve sanitation conditions in rural Alaska in cooperation with Native regional nonprofit corporations and Alaska's rural communities; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the President of the United States to ask the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Department of the Interior, the United States Department of Education, the United States Department of Labor, the United States Department of Transportation, the United States Department of Energy, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Commerce, the Small Business Administration, the Office of Management and Budget, and ACTION to commit available finances and resources necessary to improve the water and sanitation conditions in rural Alaska by implementing the recommendations of the Alaska Sanitation Task Force.

COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton, First Lady; the Honorable Mike Espy, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; the Honorable Ronald Brown, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce; the Honorable Richard W. Riley, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education; the Honorable Hazel R. O'Leary, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy; the Honorable Donna E. Shalala, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the Honorable Henry G. Cisneros, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; the Honorable Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior; the Honorable Robert B. Reich, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor; the Honorable Frederico Pena, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation; Carol M. Browner, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Leon E. Panetta, Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget; Patricia F. Saiki, Administrator of the Small Business Administration; John Seal, Acting Director of ACTION; and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, United States Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, United States Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.