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ALASKA LINKS
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LT. GOVERNOR'S REPORT
Loren Leman
State of Alaska Lt. Governor
Juneau, AK
Jan. 26, 2006
HUSBANDS, FATHERS AND HEROES: The memorial service for Chief Warrant
Officer Chester Troxel, 44, of Anchorage was Saturday at the Anchorage
Baptist Temple. A member of the Alaska Army National Guard he died in
a helicopter tragedy near Tal Afar, Iraq on January 7. It was a very
personal service, moving for all of us.
Two Airmen from Elmendorf AFB were killed in Iraq on Sunday. Tech.
Sgt. Jason Norton, 32, and Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy, 28, were traveling
north of Baghdad with another airman when a bomb exploded near their
Humvee.
All three of these men were husbands, fathers and heroes. Carolyn and
I are thankful for their service and offer our condolences to their
widows, children, other family and friends.
A FORUM FOR ALL: Many issues cross constituency groups. During my
remarks at the Native Issues Forum in Juneau on Wednesday I focused on
the interdependence of Alaskans and hope and opportunity our State
offers. Some in the audience expressed concern about high unemployment
and finding ways to increase the successes of young Native Alaskans.
It was a good chance to communicate directly that these concerns are
spread across Alaska. Whether suicide, FAS/FAE or domestic violence –
many of these problems cross communities. Co-sponsored by the Central
Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and the Alaska
Native Brotherhood Camp #2, the forum also featured remarks by Senate
President Ben Stevens.
HAWKS FLY HOME: Saturday, 130 soldiers from Company A, 3rd Battalion,
297th Infantry, Alaska Army National Guard were welcomed home at a
ceremony at the Armory on Fort Richardson. They returned from a
one-year tour of duty at Camp Victory South, Baghdad, Iraq. We're
proud of their service on behalf of Alaska. It was a thrill to see the
"Clan of the Hawks," led by Major Joel Gilbert and First Sergeant Dan
Randall, return home and embrace family. These troops come from
Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, the Kenai Peninsula and other communities in
our State.
NEW TO THE MAT-SU: Why weren’t there polar bear exam tables when I was
a child? Senator Lyda Green, Representatives Bill Stoltze and Carl
Gatto, Governor Frank Murkowski, Department of Health & Social Services
Commissioner Karleen Jackson and I joined many Valley residents for the
grand opening of the new Mat-Su Regional Medical Center on Sunday.
Construction on the $101 million medical facility began in May 2004 and
opens five months ahead of schedule. A health care facility like this
would not succeed without vision and community support.
State-of-the-art technologies (including the polar bear table) are
staffed by top medical professionals in Alaska, housed in an incredibly
beautiful facility to meet the growing needs of the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough. The hospital officially opens for business tomorrow.
TOASTING SKILLS: The Kashim Toastmasters Club in Anchorage invited me
to help the 24 clubs in Alaska and the Yukon Territory commemorate
March 19-25, 2006 as Toastmasters Week. Toasmasters helps individuals
develop public speaking and leadership skills through doing. Clubs
throughout Alaska will be hosting open houses and workshops for
visitors and prospective members during this week. As a former
Toastmaster, I attest this is valuable training. If you are
interested, contact a club that meets at a location and time convenient
for you.
LOCAL LEADERS: Representatives of many cities and boroughs are meeting
together in Juneau this week as members of the Alaska Municipal
League. Their concerns include pension accounts, rising fuel costs and
transportation projects. I spoke with several local government leaders
on these issues and on issues related to incorporation. These locally
elected leaders have a tough job – many of them from smaller
communities are holding down full-time jobs and volunteering for their
communities.
HELPING CHILDREN: While in Juneau this week I met with the Alaska
Association of Homes for Children to learn what members of this
association are doing to support many of Alaska’s children. The State
depends on these organizations that provide help where family support
has broken down. These children are often abused, and many of them
sexually abused. The Association was formed in 1986 to advocate and
support children in out-of-home placements. Thousands of children in
need are served each year throughout Alaska. I applaud the
Association's efforts.
UPCOMING EVENTS: I will be attending the memorial service for Tech.
Sgt. Norton and Staff Sgt. McElroy at Elmendorf AFB tomorrow and plan
to be in Homer to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Alaska
Bible Institute. On Sunday I will attend the National Guard memorial
service at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.
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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