http://www.akdemocrats.org/Documents/051403_joules_state_seal_wins_house.pdf

Additional information: HCR5 Joule

JUNEAU – Declaring that symbols of Alaska “should reflect the place and people who now call it home,” the House of Representatives has voted to conduct a design contest for a new state seal. The oldest symbol of government in Alaska would undergo a makeover next year, if the Alaska Senate follows suit. The 29 to 5 vote late Tuesday approved a resolution by Representative Reggie Joule (D-Kotzebue) establishing a special citizens task force to coordinate the redesign process for the seal. Recommendations from the public would be forwarded to the Legislature by next January, when a new seal could be commissioned. “After 93 years in use, the Official Seal of Alaska is overdue for review. I would like to see wide public involvement in the redesign of this important symbol,” Joule said following the vote. The Kotzebue Democrat was unable to attend the House session because he his recuperating following heart bypass surgery in Anchorage. The task force established under House Concurrent Resolution 5 would include two representatives of the Department of Education and Early Development, two from the Alaska Historical Commission, two from the Alaska Native Heritage Center and one from the Pioneers of Alaska. The Official Seal of Alaska includes mountain and ocean scenes as well as a sailing ship, steam engine and a horse and plow. The seal includes no depiction of modern Alaska cities, industries or its diverse cultures. -30- (For additional information, contact Rep. Joule’s Office at 1-800-478-4833 or (in Juneau) 465-4833)

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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