State Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, participate’s in an October 2020 march and rally. Hannan on Monday apologized for comments made during a state House of Representatives floor session in which she suggested Nazi medical experiments led to gained knowledge. ((Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

State Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, participate’s in an October 2020 march and rally. Hannan on Monday apologized for comments made during a state House of Representatives floor session in which she suggested Nazi medical experiments led to gained knowledge. ((Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Hannan apologizes for Nazi experiment comments

‘Incorrect, insensitive and hurtful’

Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, apologized on social media for comments made on the floor of the House of Representatives Saturday saying Nazi experimentation on prisoners “produced results.”

“I apologize for the words that I used on the House Floor yesterday,” Hannan said on social media. “I did not mean to imply any support for NAZIs nor their experimentation in any way. My remarks were incorrect, insensitive and hurtful. I am sorry and will strive to do better.”

The comments were part of a larger statement after several members of the House Republican Minority drew comparisons between requiring the COVID-19 vaccine and medical experiments done on prisoners under the Nazi regime. Hannan additionally drew a distinction between modern medical science and human experimentation during her remarks.

At the Alaska State Capitol Monday, Hannan declined to comment saying she was preparing to deliver a formal apology on the floor. Monday’s House floor session was delayed as lawmakers continued negotiations over a health care bill that had amendments barring COVID-19 vaccine requirements from Alaska’s businesses, including hospitals and nursing homes.

• Contact reporter Peter Segall at psegall@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SegallJnuEmpire.

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