LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S REPORT

Lt. Governor Loren Leman
Juneau, AK
Feb. 26, 2004

HOMELAND SECURITY IN ACTION:

On Tuesday I was hosted by Lt. General Howie Chandler, our top military commander in Alaska, for a demonstration of the Northern Command Unified Defense 2004 exercise in Juneau. Simulating a terrorist attack on the port in Juneau, this exercise combined military, National Guard, Coast Guard, State Trooper and local police forces in exercises to work together to keep citizens safe. We saw an impressive boarding of an "enemy" vessel when seven Coast Guardsmen were dropped from a Jayhawk helicopter onto the deck of the State ferry Malaspina. The exercise proved a successful demonstration of the Alaska Land Mobile Radio project--a system that helps government and emergency communication equipment "talk" with each other.

KENAI GAS INDUSTRY UP CLOSE:

Last Friday I was in Nikiski accompanying Jane Liao of Taiwan, a manager with Chinese Petroleum Company, for a tour of the ConocoPhillips Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and BP Gas to Liquids facilities. Taiwan currently purchases more than 120 billion cubic feet of LNG per year from other sources and could be a prime customer for part of Alaska's North Slope gas.

HONORING ELIZABETH PERATROVICH:

Last week I joined friends from the Alaska Native Sisterhood and Alaska Native Brotherhood in recognizing Elizabeth Peratrovich Day with a program and potluck in Juneau. Elizabeth Peratrovich, a respected Native leader, was perhaps best known for raising a family of achievers and for her eloquent speech to the Alaska Legislature in 1945 in support of anti-discrimination legislation, which became law.

FBCI LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING:

On Monday I met with legislators for an update on the progress of the Faith-Based & Community Initiatives (FBCI) Task Force. Scott Merriner, Chairman of the Task Force, and Administration officials joined us. We shared an impressive list of accomplishments and upcoming projects. One of our biggest pieces of news was that Alaska was recently named by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives as a "Role Model State" leading the nation in this important initiative!

FILMED ON LOCATION:

The Governor's office produces a weekly television show "Our Alaska," which airs on stations around the State on Friday and Sunday. A list of times and stations is available on the Governor's website. Recently the show came to my office to film a segment on the duties and office of the Lieutenant Governor, which is scheduled to air tomorrow.

RAISING FUNDS FOR KIDS WITH CANCER:

Very early today Carolyn and I attended a fundraising breakfast at Rabbit Creek Elementary School for two boys--both fighting valiantly against cancer. We were joined by Anchorage School District Superintendent Carol Comeau and several firefighters, as well as supportive children and their parents. If you would like to help, contributions can be dropped off at or sent to any Wells Fargo Bank branch, attention "Taha/Nicolls Fund", or to the principal's office at Rabbit Creek Elementary.

FAREWELL TO TWO FRIENDS:

Last week Senate President Gene Therriault's father, Hector Therriault, died. Also Senator Bettye Davis said good-bye to her husband of 45 years, Troy. Carolyn and I offer our sincere sympathies to their families and friends.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

This evening Carolyn and I will attend the annual Salute to the Military in Anchorage, where the best of our military will be appropriately recognized. Tomorrow I will be in Fairbanks for events including History Day competition at UAF, the "Problem Corner" radio show on KFAR with Michael Dukes at 2:00 pm and a visit to our Fairbanks Elections office. On Saturday I travel to Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada to lead our Alaska contingent to the Arctic Winter Games. On Saturday, March 6, I will speak to a group of national business, social and political leaders in San Diego about the importance of Alaska's North Slope oil to America.