 "Year of the Vet" Package, Homeland Security Top Priorities; Knowles Signs Bondsteel Bridge Bill May 02, 2002
"When they were young, our veterans took care of America's needs, now it's time we do our duty and take care of our veterans' needs as they grow older," Knowles said. "This isn't nuclear physics. Alaskans support the military 100 percent and veterans 100 percent. So should the Legislature. The leaders of these three veterans' organizations have asked me to go to the mat on these issues. It's a mission I gladly accept." Leaders of Alaska veterans organizations who joined Knowles in calling for passage of the "Year of the Veteran" bills include VFW Department Commander Gary Kurpius, Disabled American Veterans' Department Commander Lorenzo Jordan, American Legion Adjutant Dean Hill, and Pat Carothers, Chair of the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council. Also joining the Governor were Commissioner of Administration Jim Duncan, and Laddie Shaw, who heads the state's Office of Veterans Affairs. Only one of Knowles' "Year of the Veteran" bills has passed this legislative session: a bill naming a bridge over the Knik River on the Glenn Highway for Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. James Bondsteel. Knowles signed the bill, Senate Bill 269, into law Wednesday and said, "By naming the Bondsteel Bridge, we recognize not just this hero, but all Medal of Honor recipients and the sacrifices of all veterans." Knowles and veterans leaders then called for immediate passage of the other bills in the package:
"We are intensifying the pressure for passage of the package," said Veterans' Advisory Council Chairman Pat Carothers. "We encourage all Alaska veterans to contact their legislators now to talk up these bills as the session winds down." Knowles deplored the fact that Alaska - with more veterans per capita than 48 other states - is the only state that does not have a veterans' home either in place or under construction. He noted that veterans' groups have pushed for such a home for over two decades. "As of today, with just 14 days left in the session, leaders of the House and Senate majorities have failed to address most of the critical needs of our veterans and our homeland security," Knowles said. "National Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge correctly observes that the federal government alone cannot ensure each state's security. So I am once again asking the Legislature to step up to the plate and do what's right for state and national security." Knowles' Homeland Security package calls for tougher penalties, quicker responses, and $16 million for essential personnel, equipment, and training to better protect Alaska from terrorist attack. He noted that budget cuts being considered by the Legislature would actually reduce the number of troopers and other first responders and as a result, Alaska will be less prepared for a major threat to our security than we were on September 11. In signing SB 269, Knowles noted that Sgt. James Bondsteel served his country during three tours of duty with the Army in Vietnam. A Staff Sergeant, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry during a 1969 battle. He is one of only four Medal of Honor recipients connected with Alaska. Sgt. Bondsteel retired from the Army in the mid-1980s and lived in Alaska where he worked for the Wasilla Vet's Center where he was considered an effective and popular counselor. He later worked for the Veterans' Administration in Anchorage. One day in 1987, he was commuting to his home in Houston when he was killed in a car accident on the Knik River bridge. He was buried with full military honors at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery.
Photo provided by the Office of the Governor:
Source of News Release:
|
Calling
on the Legislature to "Pick up the pace - double time -
and pass the package," Gov. Tony Knowles and leaders of
Alaska veterans associations on Wednesday urged passage of the
Pioneers' and Veterans' Home bill and other legislation in his
"Year of the Veteran" package, as well as funding for
Alaska's security needs.