LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S REPORT

Loren Leman
Lieutenant Governor
Juneau, AK
March 20, 2003

OUR NATION AT WAR:

As this edition of my Report goes out American military personnel are fighting for the liberation of Iraq and the destruction of Saddam Hussein's ability to harm his neighbors and the world. I hope you will join in support and prayer for the brave men and women who risk their lives for our safety and to free others from a brutal dictatorship. You can "Adopt a Troop" at www.presidentialprayerteam.org, Support Our American Recruits (SOAR) , or access articles geared to children and teens and send messages to service personnel at weeklyreader.com

MY MILITARY MESSAGE:

I videotaped a message of support for military members and their families at the National Guard Armory on Fort Richardson on March 14. The message will air on cable television at bases and posts around the State. I told them that Alaska wants to keep its relationship with the military strong, and that the State will work with Military Family Support Services to assist families while members are deployed. I also told them that they go with our prayers and our gratitude.

SPEAKING TO TANANA CHIEFS: My March 12 address to the Tanana Chiefs Conference in Fairbanks on "The Murkowski-Leman Vision for Interior Alaska" led to a lively discussion with attendees. The questions and comments generated a productive exchange of ideas. You can read the text of my message here. Governor Murkowski and I look forward to more opportunities to talk with people across Alaska about how together we can improve opportunities. (I recently received photos from my trip to Selawik that give insight into rural Alaska life).

CITIZENSHIP AND THE ROLE OF PEOPLE OF FAITH: was the subject of talks I gave at the Faith Christian Community campuses last Saturday and Sunday in Anchorage. I spoke about how bringing the values of one's faith into the public arena can be used to improve our communities. I appealed for a continued investment in Faith-based and Community Initiatives (FBCI).

SPEAKING OF INITIATIVE:

One group that took faith-based initiatives to heart many years ago is the Salvation Army, which recently briefed my staff on its planned Salvation Army Family Enrichment (SAFE) Center near Chester Creek in Anchorage. To find out more, or to $upport this project, call 276-2515. Tell them you read about it in my Report.

ALUTIIQ MUSEUM LOANS OBJECTS:

Two items from the Alutiiq Museum in Kodiak are now displayed in my State Capitol office. Because of my interest in my Afognak family heritage, I contacted the museum in January requesting objects to display in my new office. The museum responded with two pieces, one a doll created by ten year-old Anna Lisa Nelson of Port Lions, titled "The Girl with the Magic Basket," and the other a replica of a prehistoric Alutiiq mask found at the mouth of the Karluk River, carved from cottonwood bark by artist and museum director Sven Haakanson, Jr. I thank these two artists and the museum for their generosity.

100 DAYS:

Since the first Franklin Roosevelt Administration there has been an emphasis on the accomplishments of the first 100 days of administrations--presidential and gubernatorial. That milestone was recently passed by our Administration, and among the accomplishments are:

Appointment of a new Cabinet and many directors; streamlining State permitting without sacrificing environmental protections; reorganization of several departments to reduce layers of management (and costs); restoration of maintenance to rural roads and airports; and, perhaps most significantly, the presentation to the Legislature of a revised budget that is focused, realistic and starts the process of bringing State spending more in line with recurring income.