LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S REPORT

Loren Leman
Lieutenant Governor
Juneau, AK
May 1, 2003

NEW AND IMPROVED!

The State of Alaska web site, along with the Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's sites, has been revamped and updated for quick loading, ease of use and good looks. For a tour of the new sites start here with state.ak.usand click on the photo of Governor Murkowski or me to access our sites. There are also links to all branches of state government, Alaska communities and even the status of your Permanent Fund Dividend application.

PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS DISASTER DECLARATION:

President George W. Bush has approved the request by Governor Murkowski to declare a federal major disaster for parts of Southcentral Alaska affected by the severe windstorm March 6-14. The disaster declaration will make federal funds available to individuals, households, and local and state government agencies. The federal aid can be used to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and some other disaster-related expenses. The Small Business Administration will also make low-interest loans available to cover residential and business losses not fully covered by insurance. Affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or, for the hearing or speech impaired, 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). The toll-free telephone numbers will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

PRAYING FOR OUR STATE AND NATION:

Today is the National Day of Prayer. May 1 was designated as a National Day of Prayer by President Reagan in 1988, and citizens around America renewed that tradition today, including a gathering on the Capitol steps in Juneau. The people of Juneau will also come together to hold a Governor's Prayer Breakfast at Centennial Hall on Saturday, May 17 at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are available through organizer Pat Stringer at 780-4434.

BEING GOOD NEIGHBORS:

I held the second Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (FBCI) scoping meeting in Juneau last week. We had an excellent turnout, with about 80 people participating. I was joined for presentations by an outstanding panel from the Administration, as well as leaders in the volunteer community from Juneau. Our next meeting will be in Fairbanks May 28 and this will wrap up our series of three scoping meetings. My new website will soon have an FBCI link where you can log on and access synopses of the meetings on this initiative.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE NOME:

I've been in the Nome area since Tuesday for a tour of erosion challenges and public hearing in Shishmaref, the quarterly meeting of the Denali Commission in Nome and tours in St. Michael, Stebbins and Unalakleet. I enjoyed seeing the King Island Eskimo Dancers in Nome, as well as some of the projects and facilities these communities have recently developed with Commission assistance, including medical clinics.

SECRETARY PAIGE TO VISIT:

I will be speaking to the Alaska PTA convention tomorrow, May 2, at 8:00 a.m. at the Sheraton Anchorage on the federal No Child Left Behind Act and its effects on education in our State, considering our unique geographic and demographic challenges.

If you have questions about implementation of this law you will be able to ask them of one of the members of President Bush's cabinet, Secretary of Education Rod Paige, who will be in Alaska for several days beginning Sunday, May 4. He will attend a town hall meeting with Alaska educators, Governor Murkowski and me at the Hotel Captain Cook on Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. During the following days he will travel to several communities in rural Alaska and conclude his visit in Fairbanks.

AND ANOTHER DISTINGUISHED VISITOR:

Now that our beautiful winter weather is gone the national figures from Washington seem to be visiting in droves. United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia <> will address the Alaska Bar Association awards banquet at the Last Frontier Club on Fort Wainwright Thursday, May 8. I plan to meet this brilliant jurist and hope Justice Scalia will produce more of his famous quotations.

MORE UPCOMING EVENTS:

On Monday, May 5 Carolyn and I will attend the "Blue Jeans Luncheon" at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage to kick-off Cleanup Week for the Municipality. For information on the Cleanup go to anchoragechamber.org or call coordinator Kathy Day at 272-6527. That same day at 6:00 p.m. I will speak to University of Alaska Southeast graduates of the Master of Public Administration program. In the spirit of modern distance education, I will use State and University video conferencing to address the graduates. I will also give the commencement address for Prince William Sound Community College on May 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Valdez Civic Center.

FINAL SALUTE TO ERIC DAS:

The funeral for my good friend and Air Force F-15 pilot Eric Das will be on Saturday morning, May 3 at the Air Force Academy. Eric and his weapons officer died in early April when their F-15 crashed near Tikrit, Iraq. Please remember to pray for his widow, Nikki Das, and his family. My family and I lost a good friend in Eric and the Air Force lost two of its best pilots. Friends from Eric's days when he was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage are working on arrangements for a tribute to Eric's life in late May.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM:

My mother, Marian Leman (Ninilchik), and her twin sister, Margaret Lee (Victory, near Palmer), turn 84 on Sunday, May 4. I thank both of these women who have made long-term contributions to Alaska and wish them a special day.

MOTHER'S DAY is coming May 11. Remember a kind word, a thoughtful gift and a good deed for these special women.