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ALASKA LINKS
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LT. GOVERNOR'S REPORT
Loren Leman
State of Alaska Lt. Governor
Juneau, AK
Mar. 2, 2006
STRYKER LOSS: Army Specialist Joshua Pearce was killed and three of
his fellow soldiers wounded during patrol operations in Mosul, Iraq on
Sunday. All four soldiers are from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat
Team, assembled and trained at Fort Wainwright. Spc. Pearce, 21, from
Guymon, Oklahoma, was a fire support specialist who joined the Army in
August 2003. Carolyn and I offer our condolences to his family and
friends and are again reminded of the price of freedom. The 172nd
Stryker Brigade has suffered numerous casualties recently and our
thoughts and prayers are with these brave soldiers from Fort
Wainwright. They have served with great distinction while deployed in
Iraq.
PROTECTING OUR HIGH SEAS: If the Olympic Games bring out the
competitive spirit of nations, illegal fishing brings out the spirit of
cooperation. This week the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission
(NPAFC) held its Enforcement Symposium in Juneau. This meeting gave
Enforcement Committee members from Canada, Japan, Korea, Russia and the
U.S. an opportunity to discuss the challenges of enforcement in the
North Pacific. On Tuesday morning, I welcomed the Commission to Juneau
and discussed Alaska’s fishery management history.
INDEPENDENT INTEREST: Oil companies, including several so-called
independents, showed their enthusiasm yesterday with more than $31
million generated from areawide lease sales on Alaska's North Slope and
nearshore waters of the Beaufort Sea. This is good news for Alaska,
because it shows we continue to be competitive in attracting oil and
gas investment. This sale is particularly gratifying to me because I
worked hard, along with Rep. Norman Rokeberg and other legislators, to
allow for areawide leasing when I was in the Legislature.
SALUTE TO THE MILITARY: An annual highlight for Carolyn and me is the
Salute to the Military dinner in Anchorage. Last Friday’s event,
attended by a packed house of 700 people, included remarks by Air Force
Chief of Staff General Michael Moseley and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski,
and recognition of high-achieving service men and women from all
branches of our military. Special thanks to the Armed Services YMCA
which organized the dinner; this year’s chairman, former Representative
Eldon Mulder; the many generous sponsors; and, of course, the fine men
and women of our military.
UFFDA FOR UFA: I met with the United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA) Board
of Directors in Juneau yesterday to discuss health of fish stocks,
State management, marketing of new and improved seafood products,
improvements to transportation to reach markets and the adverse effects
of fish farming. UFA President Bob Thorstenson, Jr. introduced me and
moderated a question and answer session following my opening comments.
Ensuring that Alaska fishermen continue to have opportunities is one of
my highest priorities.
APPLAUDING HERITAGE: February was Black History Month and Fairview
Elementary School in Anchorage celebrated America's rich heritage by
studying great historical leaders, including Alaska Native leaders, and
inviting speakers to visit with their student body. I spoke to their
6th grade classes about community service and gave them advice on how
to continue on the path to success. They were an insightful and bright
group and I believe future community and State leaders will come from
their school.
ACTING ON FAITH: On Wednesday I met with the Faith-Based & Community
Initiatives Advisory Council in Juneau. We heard by teleconference
from Stanley Carlson-Thies, of the Center for Public Justice; and Jen
Sullivan, representing the White House Office of FBCI. Both
acknowledged that Alaska is a leader in the effort to engage our faith
and other volunteer communities collaboratively with government to meet
the needs of people. The Advisory Council also discussed proposed
legislation and budget action that affect Faith-Based & Community
Initiatives, reviewed the annual report and worked on plans for a
second statewide conference in April.
FAREWELL BRENDAN SMART: Tragedy struck close to home on Tuesday when
Anchorage resident Brendan Smart, 24, was buried by an avalanche while
snowboarding on Marmot Mountain in Hatcher Pass. Brendan, a 1999
graduate of the Alaska Military Youth Academy, recently completed four
years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served in Japan and more
recently in Iraq. Carolyn and I are thankful for his service to our
country and have offered our support to his mother, Brenda Smart, a
good friend.
FAREWELL JIM ARNESS: I joined many friends and family at Kenai’s
Merit Inn on Monday to honor the life of longtime Alaskan James V.
“Jim” Arness. From running a supply boat in the Aleutians during World
War II, building Arness Terminal at Nikiski, supporting youth
athletics, serving on the Borough Assembly, to fishing in Cook Inlet,
Jim Arness was a doer. The Arness and Leman families have been
longtime friends. Carolyn and I join my parents, Nick and Marian
Leman, in offering condolences to his widow Peggy, sons Jim and Joe,
and their extended family.
UPCOMING EVENTS: I will be participating in the Iditarod race banquet
and its start activities; an 11th Air Force award ceremony; a
MathCounts statewide competition; and numerous events for the Arctic
Winter Games on the Kenai Peninsula during the next several days.
Please share this report with interested friends and family. To subscribe or unsubscribe please visit the subscription page . If you have questions or comments please email me at Lt_Governor@gov.state.ak.us You can also reach me at (907) 465-3520 or 269-7460, or write to: Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman, PO Box 110015, Juneau, AK 99811-0015. Visit my web site: ltgov.state.ak.us.
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