Empire Archives is a series printed every Saturday featuring a short compilation of headline stories in the Juneau Empire from archived editions in 1985, 1995, and 2005. The stories include names, AP style, and other content of their eras.
This week in 1985, Alaska’s senators won’t be saying the pledge of allegiance each morning. They won’t be singing the “Alaska Flag Song,” “God Bless America” or “America the Beautiful” either. The Senate failed to pass a concurrent resolution that would have set aside a spot at the beginning of each floor session for members to recite the pledge of allegiance. Although some lawmakers had said prior to the vote that the “motherhood and apple pie” resolution would likely be approved, several senators objected, saying they didn’t like having to “prove” their patriotism. “I resent this…40 years ago today I was on the other side of the Rhine…with combat soldiers,” said Sen. Vic Fischer, D-Anchorage. “Nobody asked me then to prove my patriotism and I resent it now.” Sens. Bob Ziegler, D-Ketchikan, and Bill Ray, D-Juneau, lightheartedly introduced an amendment that would have asked legislators to sing a variety of patriotic songs following the pledge, but withdrew that proposal after objection was raised. The resolution failed 12-8 as a two-thirds favorable vote was required for passage.
Today both the Alaska House and Senate recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each floor session, a practice that has been in place for some decades.
Original Story: “I pledge allegiance…,’” by Debbie Reinwand. 4/10/1985.
This week in 1995, lawmakers agreed the budget bill adopted by the House will be painful in the short run for many Alaskans. But in their third day of debate on the operating budget Saturday, Republicans and Democrats continued to argue over whether the cuts are spread out evenly. “Even after having slept on this budget, it doesn’t look any better in the light of day,” said Rep. Kay Brown, D-Anchorage. “Are we spreading the pain fairly? There are other choices we could have made. There are other ways we could have approached making the cuts less severe. It makes absolutely no sense.” The House adopted the budget bill on reconsideration 25-12 with one lawmaker excused and one absent. It now moves to the Senate where President Drue Pearce said another $30 million will be cut. The House’s budget is $55 million less than the spending level approved last year.
Today the House is stuck in a stalemate over a budget with a deficit of nearly $2 billion in a $14 billion spending plan, due primarily to a so-called “full” Permanent Fund Dividend of about $3,800. The Senate majority has indicated it intends to drastically revise the proposed budget if the House does not do so.
Original Story: “House budget marathon ends,” by Terry Mutchler. 4/9/1995.
This week in 2005, a state immigration officer conducted Juneau’s first-ever immigrant-assistance forum Thursday in what officials said could be a precursor to monthly visits from Anchorage. The event attracted two dozen people who wanted to talk to someone in person about their cases. Among them were Philip Subeldia, who didn’t know how to cancel a VISA application for his former fiancée in the Philippines. Harold White wondered when his Filipino wife can apply for citizenship. After 20 years of waiting, Teresita Frisbee wanted to know when her sister can gain permanent residence in the United States. Every year, thousands of immigrants come to Alaska. In 2004, 726 Alaskans became naturalized U.S. citizens. Among them, 25 were from Southeast Alaska.
Today immigration forums are a radically different occurrence due to President Donald Trump’s pledge to conduct mass deportations of people, which during his first months in office have included legal residents and visitors for reasons such as expressing views Trump administration officials disagree with,
Original Story: “Forum answers array of immigrants’ questions,” by I-Chun Che. 4/8/2005.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
