LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S REPORT

Lt. Governor Loren Leman
Juneau, AK
November 21, 2003

MASSACHUSETTS JUDGES MISJUDGE:
On Tuesday in a 4-3 ruling, the Massachusetts Supreme Court declared that homosexuals were entitled to marry and ordered their Legislature to devise a "marriage" scheme within 180 days. This ruling disregards values shared by every major world religion during more than 6,000 years of recorded history. No one can deny what is happening any longer. Despite clear public opinion against the notion of homosexual "marriage," some unelected judges are more than willing to steer our culture into uncharted public policy waters. They recognize no limits to their power to remake our social structure.

Massachusetts should start by constitutionally enshrining the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, just like Alaska did five years ago. And Congress should move quickly to place before the states a federal constitutional amendment protecting marriage.

ALASKA'S NEWEST SENATOR:
I traveled to Sitka yesterday to swear in Bert Stedman as the new State Senator from District A in Southeast Alaska. He replaces Robin Taylor. Best wishes, Bert and family -- I know from experience it's not an easy job. While in Sitka I also spoke to the law enforcement graduates at the Public Safety Academy during their noon ceremony. I met later with municipal officials and toured the industrial park on the site of the decommissioned pulp mill.

IT IS ROCKET SCIENCE:
On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I attended the Aerospace States Association meetings in Washington, D.C. I serve on the Executive Committee of ASA, an advocacy group that promotes federal aerospace and aviation policy. ASA is helping develop a national space vision as well as changes to America's air transportation system to present to Congress and President Bush. Alaska, with our launch facilities on Kodiak; missile defense system at Fort Greely, Clear and Shemya; and extensive dependence on aviation is a key player in ASA activities.

HONORING OUR LIFE-SAVERS:
My chief-of-staff and former EMT, Annette Kreitzer, presented the annual Governor's Emergency Medical Services awards in Anchorage last Saturday. Recipients included Keira Lestina (Citizen/Consumer) who gave a moving account of her prayerful rescue of a mother and child trapped after a motor vehicle accident; Staff Sergeant Kendall Greenleaf (EMS Provider); Ronni Sullivan, Executive Director of Southern Region EMS (Researcher/Administrator); Ken Brown, M.D. (George H. Longenbaugh Award); Bill O'Brien (EMS Educator); Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps (50 years of service); and Mark Johnson (Friend of EMS). All provided extraordinary service and I congratulate them.

OPERATION SANTA CLAUS:
Difficult weather conditions didn't stop Santa and Mrs. Claus from flying on a C-130H Hercules to Shishmaref, St. Michaels, Wales and Savoonga. The National Guard's "Operation Santa Claus" just completed its 47th year of delivering books, clothes, food and toys to these rural northwestern communities. Operation Santa Claus is supported by a volunteer staff of citizens, Alaska businesses and aid organizations. My wife Carolyn and members of my staff, Janine Smith and Whitney Brewster, were special "elves" on some of the missions this year.

NO PLACE LIKE NOME:
I was honored to participate in the Nome Veterans Day parade and luncheon with my good friend Representative Richard Foster of Nome. Before I spoke at the VFW luncheon I visited with 90 talented and disciplined Junior ROTC students from Nome-Beltz School. Later, I represented the Denali Commission at the Alaska Conference of Mayors and Alaska Municipal League conference in Nome. Governor Murkowski spoke on Wednesday and presented an Administration update.

REMEMBERING RUTH BURNETT:
On Wednesday I joined family and friends in Fairbanks for a memorial service for Ruth Burnett at which I reflected on her life and read a letter of condolence from Governor Murkowski. Ruth, a caring wife and mother of four adult children; former mayor of Fairbanks; elder of First Presbyterian Church; past president of the Fairbanks Women's Club; and sports enthusiast, was a charter member of Love, INC, an important partner in our Faith-Based and Community Initiative. She directed Senator Stevens' Fairbanks office until recently, when she was no longer able to work. A friend said of her, "you can't afford to lose a friend like Ruth -- no one is that wealthy."

LOOKING AHEAD:
Today at the Anchorage Sheraton Hotel I will highlight Denali Commission priorities at the Resource Development Council annual meeting. Saturday evening, I will attend a United Filipino Athletic Association of Anchorage dinner and speak about youth sports and activities. I will be saying a few words at the Top of the World Basketball Classic on Sunday in Fairbanks (go UAF!) and speak at the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce lunch Tuesday, November 25 at the Mat-Su Resort. For Thanksgiving weekend our son Joseph will return home from the Air Force Academy. We plan to attend a few Great Alaska Shootout games at the Sullivan Arena. Congratulations to UAA freshman Whitney Leman on her fine start as a college basketball player. Have a great Thanksgiving!