LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S REPORT

Lt. Governor Loren Leman
Juneau, AK
Dec. 9, 2004

SEMPER PARATUS:
At the time of this publication, rescuers have ended today's search for six people who were lost after a Coast Guard helicopter crashed near Unalaska. The six were from the freighter, Selendang Ayu, which was stranded on Tuesday. My prayers are with the victims’ families and with the brave members of the Coast Guard who have battled treacherous conditions during this rescue effort. I am grateful for their dedication to duty.

MAKING HISTORY:
On Tuesday the Board of Education & Early Development made Alaska History a high school graduation requirement. On Monday, I testified in support of this proposal. The Board recognized that it is important for Alaska students to understand our heritage, geography and culture.

CASTING ALASKA’S ELECTORAL VOTES:
I invite you to participate in a historic event that happens only once every four years. On Monday, December 13 at 11:00 a.m. at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art auditorium Alaska’s three electors, Gloria Tokar, Roberley Waldron and Frederick Hahn, will cast Alaska's votes for President and Vice-President of the United States. There will be patriotic songs, music by the Faith Children’s Choir and Miss Alaska 2004 Christina Reasner and a presentation of a student essay on the Electoral College by statewide contest winner Aaron Rockwell. Aaron is a 16-year-old, homeschooled student from Palmer.

RACE RECOUNT:
The group Alaska Recount 2004 has submitted its application and $10,000 deposit for the Division of Elections to recount the U.S. Senate election results. The recount will begin Monday, December 13 at 3:00 p.m. Additionally, there will be a recount of the results of the race between House candidates Tim June and Bill Thomas in Southeast Alaska. I am confident the Division of Elections and the bipartisan Review Board that conducted, reviewed and certified this year’s elections did a fine job.

BETHEL BOUND:
I was in Bethel today for community and city council meetings, a visit with high school students and to speak with Chamber of Commerce luncheon attendees. I also met with the Bethel Junior ROTC Drill Team. This team is a past national champion and has set a very high standard for excellence.

WELCOME TO THE GOVERNOR’S HOUSE:
On Tuesday, Carolyn and I joined Governor Frank and First Lady Nancy Murkowski in greeting more than 2,000 visitors during the annual Open House at the Governor’s residence. This historic structure is decorated beautifully. Local groups, including many students, sang and played holiday music. We enjoyed hot cider and tasted some of the 17,000 cookies and pastries prepared by staff and volunteers.

FESTIVE FUNDRAISER:
First Lady Nancy Murkowski is leading a fundraising effort to make needed repairs to the Governor’s residence. The Friends of the Governor’s Mansion Foundation is selling an ornament specially created for this project. This beautiful replica of the residence costs $20 and is available at the Governor's office in Anchorage at 269-7450 and the Governor's residence in Juneau. For more information contact Karen Newton at karen_newton@gov.state.ak.us.

PEARL HARBOR DAY:
Tuesday, December 7 was the 63rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor in which 2,395 people lost their lives. This attack by the Empire of Japan was the clincher for the United States to enter into World War II.

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD:
I now share my birthday with a brand new fellow Alaskan, Thomas Joseph Lee Pearson. He is the son of Robert and Dee Pearson. Robert is the regulations coordinator and works in my Juneau office. Thomas was born at 8:59 pm on Thursday, December 2. He weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce. Congratulations Robert and Dee – here’s to many sleepless nights and happy times with baby Thomas!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!:
Speaking of birthdays, December 7 is a special day for my father, Nick Leman, who turned 87 this week.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tomorrow I will be in Colorado Springs at the 2004 Global Energy and Environmental Issues Conference of The Energy Council. I have been asked to speak on Alaska’s North Slope gas project. On Tuesday, December 14, the Faith-Based & Community Initiatives Task Force will have its last meeting. The work of this Task Force that I appointed will transition to an Office of FBCI in the Department of Health & Social Services.