LT. GOVERNOR'S REPORT

Loren Leman
State of Alaska Lt. Governor

Juneau, AK
Nov. 10, 2005

HONORING VETERANS:
Tomorrow is Veterans Day, a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women of our nation’s military. Imagine where we would be now if not for their service and dedication. I encourage you to show your respect by attending a Veterans Day event, donating to a charity or by simply visiting with a veteran and saying ‘thank you!’ I recently wrote an article for Veterans Day that can be found here.

You are the first to see a new feature on my website called Military & Veterans Outreach. This helpful resource provides information not only for military personnel, veterans and their families, but also for those interested in learning about our military and how to support them. Please visit and offer your feedback on this new feature.

Knowing how to help veterans – women and men – is vitally important to the Veterans Administration. Yesterday at the Women Veterans Recognition ceremony, we watched a powerful video of women’s combat experiences from Vietnam to Iraq. This is used as a training tool for VA employees working with women veterans. Sponsored by the Alaska VA Healthcare System and Regional Office the ceremony featured the video’s author and keynote speaker, Bonnie McIntosh, a clinical social worker at the Boston VA. Captain McIntosh was activated as a social worker in her Army Reserve unit in 2003, stationed in Baghdad.

ON THE MONEY:
Because Alaska is an energy producing state, we often draw attention from national media whenever there is an energy crisis or when oil and gas prices are high. Yesterday I was a guest on the CNBC program, “On The Money” to provide the State’s perspective on ExxonMobil’s delay in paying its obligations to fishermen, Natives, landowners and others injured by the 1989 oil spill in Prince William Sound. This coverage was part of the week’s overall theme of Congressional hearings on the price of oil and gas.

ANWR SETBACK:
The decision yesterday by the House to delete the ANWR Coastal Plain authorization provision in the budget reconciliation bill working its way through Congress was a major setback. I am disappointed. Unfortunately the entire Democratic caucus in the House and some 25 Republicans, primarily from East Coast states who do not appreciate our commitment to environmental excellence and to the production of energy for America, joined to work against Alaska. I am not giving up—and I know our Congressional delegation will remain vigilant.

A NEW BEGINNING:
The Mary Magdalene Home Alaska is a non-profit, faith-based organization providing a network of spiritual, mental and physical care to women leaving a life of prostitution. Our Therapeutic Court and this ministry are helping reclaim lives. On Saturday I attended a luncheon auction to raise money for housing, books and transportation –some basics for their new beginnings.

CHALLENGING OUR COMMUNITIES:
Today several hundred delegates gathered for Alaska Municipal League and Conference of Mayors meetings in Anchorage. I talked about our energy crisis in Alaska - its high cost - and the associated challenge caused in large part by what I call "the Challenge of Plenty." I urged the elected and appointed municipal officials to resist the pressure to grow government at a time when we are experiencing a State budget surplus.

SCHOOL BOARDS MEET:
The Alaska Association of School Boards met in Anchorage last week for its annual conference. At the awards ceremony on Saturday night I shared a few words about the challenges facing education. Despite record increases in State funding for education, costs are rising at rates even higher. Health care and workers compensation increases, as well as record prices for fuel, are driving costs up. Turnover is also a problem, especially in our rural districts. We must attract and retain good teachers. One way to help, particularly in rural Alaska, is to grow our own. I have been encouraging UA to increase its investment in teacher education, especially for Alaska Native students. Recent results are encouraging. Although money is important, we should never lose sight of the fact that the most important factors for educational success have nothing to do with money—they are parental involvement and the commitment of the student to achieve.

IMPROVING CARE:
The 2005 Aging & Disability Policy Summit, held in Anchorage, draws people from across the State and provides an opportunity for senior citizens, individuals experiencing disabilities, and the numerous organizations serving them to develop ideas for assistance. These ideas help guide public policy and lead to improvements in health care, transportation, employment, housing and education. I enjoyed visiting with attendees at this summit on Monday and sharing my thoughts on our obligation as a society to help those with disabilities.

STAND WITH THE WARRIORS:
The value of any program or service is its impact on lives. I continue to support the Family Wellness Warriors Initiative because I’ve seen the transformation in lives from defeat to strength - and now their commitment to help others. Carolyn and I attended a Stand with the Warriors dinner at the Hilton Anchorage Hotel, Friday evening with host, Gary Brumbelow of InterAct Ministries and Katherine Gottlieb of Southcentral Foundation, a founding partner and big supporter. Funds raised exceeded the goals for the event. I am thankful.

THE BIRTH OF #49:
Fifty years ago this week, 55 delegates began crafting Alaska's constitution, the foundation of our State government. Tuesday evening I joined Constitutional Convention delegates, staff and friends at the Creating Alaska reception, at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art. The Creating Alaska exhibit highlights the work of the Constitutional Convention and Alaska's journey to statehood.

INSPIRING EXPLORERS:
On Wednesday, NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly and Chief Financial Officer Gwen Sykes and I were at Sterling Elementary School to kick off the Explorer Schools program. This program inspires the next generation of space explorers and provides schools with math, science and technology curricula enrichment. Nikiski North Star Elementary School is also part of the Explorer School program. These Kenai Peninsula schools join Chenega Bay, Tatitlek and Whittier Community Schools in Chugach School District as Alaska's selectees in the 150-school Explorer Program. Incidentally, Gwen's home state is Alaska and she represents us well.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
On Wednesday, I meet with the Alaska State Committee on Research to review and consolidate State research to be conducted by the University of Alaska. On Thursday I’ll be speaking to the Alaska Mortgage Bankers Association annual meeting.