Lieutenant Governor's Report
By Loren Leman
Lieutenant Governor
July 29, 2004BREAKING BREAD WITH ALASKANS: A longtime fun tradition is the sharing of food with Alaskans at the Governor's picnics. This is also a great time to visit face-to-face with friends and neighbors. I joined Governor Murkowski, First Lady Nancy and several commissioners in Anchorage and Fairbanks to serve thousands of sloppy joes, salmon burgers and hot dogs. Many contributing businesses and volunteers help make these wonderful community events possible. I also attended a subsequent community picnic and celebration in North Pole, complete with rousing patriotic music by a young people's troupe from New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ.
I joined in the celebration for Parents of the Year at Valley of the Moon Park in Anchorage. Congratulations to James and Shaharriet Houchins, parents of nine children, for being selected as parents of the year.
GOVERNOR'S VETO IMPACTS FBCI: Last week Governor Murkowski vetoed $68,000 that provided the Faith-Based & Community Initiatives position that has been vacant since Gwen Hall left in June. I had contributed one of our eight fulltime office staff to this important initiative since becoming Lieutenant Governor. I remain committed to the success of the FBCI work and am working on alternative ways to support this valuable function.
HONORING A FALLEN OFFICER: I was honored to join Kenai Mayor John Williams, Chief of Police Chuck Kopp and Governor Murkowski in Kenai last Thursday for a public safety building dedication ceremony honoring Kenai police officer John Watson, who was killed in the line of duty last Christmas. Officer Watson well represented the fine fraternity of peace officers across Alaska who every day risk their lives to protect ours.
HOOPS ROLE MODEL: On Tuesday I joined former NBA great Thurl Bailey in addressing the current class of the Alaska Military Youth Academy at Fort Richardson's Buckner Fieldhouse. I shared that the cadets will face choices in life-and that alcohol and drugs lead to bad decisions. Alaskan sports heroes Carlos Boozer and Scotty Gomez did not achieve stardom by flirting with destructive lifestyles. Thurl Bailey talked about how basketball took him from inner city Washington, DC and changed his life by giving him an education and opportunity. The Alaska Military Youth Academy is one of the success stories in Alaska education.
RAISING GREEN ON THE GREENS: Yesterday I spoke at the awards luncheon for the AT&T Alascom Golf Tournament, a fundraiser for Alaska Public Radio and National Native News, at O'Malley's on the Green in Anchorage. Alaska communication pioneers Augie Hiebert and Bob Atwood are testaments to the importance of our communication networks which provide information across Alaska.
PREPARING FOR THE PRIMARY: I joined Division of Elections director Laura Glaiser in several media interviews across Alaska as we explained the changes for the primary election on August 24. Each registered voter in Alaska received a mailer from the Division that explains the changes mandated by a recent Superior Court decision. As a result, the Division has so far registered 2,896 new voters and made many more changes to registrations. Primary voters will select one ballot from three that will be available to voters. For more information, visit the Division website.
FILLING THE PEOPLE PIPELINE: I have often spoken about the need to "grow our own," a reference to why we need to raise and train teachers, health care workers, engineers and construction workers from the ranks of Alaska young people. Tuesday at the Denali Commission office I joined my commission counterpart, Jeff Staser, in challenging a group of interns from several organizations to be passionate about the hope and opportunity Alaska offers-and especially how sharp, motivated young people can help fill our needs. Most of these interns are Alaska "born and grown" and have returned from their universities to serve our State. They are bright and energetic-and include several civil engineering students (my major). By growing our own like these, Alaska will continue to have a bright future. I especially thank Karol Dixon, a Denali Commission intern originally from Shageluk who organized this luncheon, and Carrie Shuckerow, an intern from Anchorage who is assisting me at the Denali Commission.
A SOUTHEAST LEADER: Cecilia Kunz of Juneau died Wednesday at the age of 93. She was considered to be the matriarch of the Juneau Indian Community, and among her many accomplishments served as President Emeritus of Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp #2, helped organize Juneau radio station KTOO, raised money for the first Juneau Library building and fought for equal rights alongside Elizabeth Peratrovich and others.
FAREWELL AUNT BETTY: My mother's younger sister and only remaining sibling, Betty Nash, died on Monday. It is always difficult to lose family members, even when they are advanced in years. Please remember my mother, Marian Leman, now 85, as she faces this difficulty.
UPCOMING EVENTS: I will be a guest on the Jack Frost radio show on August 4. On August 9 and 10 I will be joining other commissioners and partner agency staff for Denali Commission meetings as we begin planning the program for next year. I will be returning to Fairbanks for an Alaska Workforce Investment Board meeting and the Tanana Valley State Fair August 11 and 12.