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.

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