LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S REPORT

Loren Leman
Lieutenant Governor
Juneau, AK
June 12, 2003

HALF-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS:

The time has literally flown by, and Monday, June 2 marked the "Six-month Anniversary" of the Murkowski-Leman Administration. I have enjoyed my job contributing to the policies and goals that we have set for Alaska. I have also enjoyed the opportunity to visit new places in Alaska, make new friends and renew old acquaintances.

SPEAKING UP:

Texts of my recent speeches including "Closing the Achievement Gap" to the Southcentral Alaska Instructional Improvement Academy and "Opportunity from Adversity" at the Grace Christian School graduation ceremonies are now available on my website.

INITIATIVE STATUS REPORT:

A detailed report on the status of currently active ballot initiative petitions is now available online, and will be regularly updated as the petitions move through the process.

OCEANS REPORT SMELLS FISHY:

In a report funded primarily by the Pew Charitable Trust, the "Pew Oceans Commission" last week called for, among other things, scrapping the current regional management system for America's fisheries and replacing it with a centralized Washington bureaucracy. While the Commission made some other proposals that are worthy of consideration, they seemingly chose to ignore the successes in Alaska fisheries management and the overall record of the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. You can judge for yourself at www.pewoceans.org.

MILITARY APPRECIATION:

The events dedicated to showing appreciation to those who defend America were especially meaningful this year. On June 2 I attended the Military Appreciation luncheon hosted by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, and staff members Gwen Hall and Nona Wilson assisted at the Elmendorf AFB picnic, an annual family event staffed by volunteers from all over Anchorage including elected officials, Latter Day Saints missionaries and Anchorage Chamber staff. Special thanks also to TSGT Trevor Parson and SGT Robert Cayce for assisting.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Governor Murkowski and I will attend the 28th annual Resource Development Council meeting at the Sheraton Anchorage at noon tomorrow, Friday, June 13. The Governor will speak on "Elevating Expectations: Current and Future Development Opportunities." I will speak at the Alaska Boys State Inauguration & Graduation June 14 at Camp Challenge near Palmer, and on June 20 I'll be meeting with Girls State participants. I will meet with attendees on behalf of the Administration at the Alaska Oil and Gas Association annual lunch with the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce at 11:30 am on Monday, June 16 at the Egan Center. On June 17 at 9:00 am I will announce the members of my Faith-based and Community Initiatives Task Force to a gathering of Anchorage churches held at the Anchorage City Church, 1301 W. 100th Avenue. A number of Anchorage congregations and ministries will be there to sign a Declaration of Faith, Family and Unity. For more information contact Steve Holsinger at 337-9437.