http://www.akdemocrats.org/Documents/050903_state_seal_bill_moves.pdf

Additional information: HCR5 Joule

Juneau – The Official Seal of Alaska, the oldest symbol of government, may get a makeover with the help of a public design contest. That’s contained in legislation approved by the House Finance Committee on Friday at the urging of Rep. Reggie Joule and a dozen other lawmakers. “Is it time to modernize the seal? I believe the answer is yes,” Joule said in written testimony to his fellow committee members. “In the process we can all benefit from involving school children and others in fashioning a seal that is meaningful to Alaska 100 years from now.” House Concurrent Resolution 5, introduced by Joule, would create a special task force of citizens to solicit ideas for redesigning the seal, which was created by a territorial governor in 1910 and carried over for use by the State of Alaska in 1959. The seal features mountains, forests and sailing ships but omits any representation of modern Alaska, including its biggest cities, industries and diverse cultures. Joule submitted written testimony advocating the design process because he has been hospitalized this week after sustaining a heart attack. He was recovering in an Anchorage hospital on Friday following bypass surgery. HCR 5 now goes to the House Rules Committee, the last stop before a vote of the full House of Representatives. -30- (For more information, contact Rep. Joule’s office at 1-800-782-4833 or (in Juneau) 465-4833).

###

Putting Alaskans First · Moving Alaska Forward 2004
Sen. Bettye Davis, Sen. Johnny Ellis, Sen. Kim Elton, Sen. Lyman Hoffman, Sen. Hollis French, Sen. Gretchen Guess, Sen. Georgianna Lincoln, Sen. Donny Olson, Rep. Ethan Berkowitz, Rep. Sharon Cissna, Rep. Harry Crawford, Rep. Eric Croft, Rep. Les Gara, Rep. Max Gruenberg, Rep. David Guttenberg, Rep. Reggie Joule, Rep. Mary Kapsner, Rep. Beth Kerttula, Rep. Albert Kookesh, Rep. Carl Moses