Lieutenant Governor's Report
By Loren Leman
Lieutenant Governor
September 16, 2004WELCOME HOME SSGT HELMICK: On Saturday Carolyn and I joined family, co-workers and friends at Elmendorf AFB to welcome home Staff Sergeant Mike Helmick. Helmick was severely injured in Iraq on August 29 when his convoy was bombed. Airman Carl Anderson, Jr., also from Elmendorf AFB, lost his life in the attack.
ALASKANS ANSWER CALL: On Friday Governor Murkowski announced that 130 Alaskans from the Army National Guard A Company, Third Battalion (Scout), 297th Infantry have been called to active duty. They are now gathering at Fort Richardson before departing for their duty assignments. I thank these brave soldiers who are now leaving their jobs and families and preparing for possible combat in defense of our lives and freedom.
ANY TONNAGE, ANY OCEAN: On Sunday I joined my parents to honor hometown hero Walter Jackinsky at his book signing at the Ninilchik Library. Captain Jackinsky's book covers his life from boyhood in Ninilchik as a contemporary of my father, through a 34-year career with the Alaska Marine Highway System, ending as Senior Captain and honorary "Commodore of the Fleet." His book Any Tonnage, Any Ocean is available at local bookstores, and he and co-author Jackie Pels will appear at Title Wave in Anchorage at 1:00 pm Saturday for a book signing.
GRADUATION REALLY ACHIEVES DREAMS: I was at my alma mater Monday in Ninilchik to support Project GRAD and help inspire students to graduate from high school and pursue higher education. Project GRAD is a scholarship program that helps increase graduation rates and prepare more students for college. This year seven communities on the Kenai Peninsula are participating. I will be in Tyonek tomorrow to challenge and encourage their students.
ENCOURAGING VOTING: While in Juneau this week I encouraged voting and participation in the political process. On Tuesday night I welcomed participants at the Native Vote 2004 "Meet the Candidates" forum, and listened as candidates for the two Juneau area legislative seats answered questions from a student panel and the audience.
On Wednesday, along with Region I Elections Supervisor Pam Crowe, I spoke to two Juneau-Douglas High School government classes about why participating in voting is important. Pam and I talked about the Youth Vote Ambassador program that allows 16- and 17-year-old Alaskans to be poll workers. We also registered students who will be 18 by November 2.
POLAND IS NOT YET LOST: I enjoyed greeting friends in the Alaska Polish community at a dinner last Friday at which Stan Barucki, the new Honorary Consul of Poland in Alaska, officially took up his duties. Several nations have opened consulates in Anchorage in the last two years, an encouraging development that extends our international ties and helps promote trade and economic development throughout the State.