Alaska: Governor says Alaska will play a role in refugee relocation efforts; Not all lawmakers agree - Alaska Governor Bill Walker joined other U.S. governors yesterday in a briefing with officials from the White House, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. State Department to learn about policies and procedures related to admitting Syrian refugees into the United States. The call was coordinated with the National Governors Association in an effort to educate governors on the process of bringing foreign refugees into the country, and address their concerns on the topic.

“I heard from White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and other federal officials [Tuesday] about the stringent vetting process that foreign refugees go through before ever entering the United States,” said Governor Walker. “While I understand the issue of allowing refugees into our country and our state lands solely with the federal government, I will remain focused on making sure the vetting process we were briefed on [Tuesday] remains the most stringent refugee vetting process in the world.”

According to the Governor's news release, since 2011, about 2,000 Syrian refugees have been admitted to the United States, however none have settled in Alaska. As described by White House officials today, the process for being admitted to the United States as a Syrian refugee can take up to two years, and requires rigorous background checks by the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees, the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, preference is given to women and children, and single Iraqi and Syrian men between the ages of 16 and 50 must go through additional security screening before being accepted.

Once granted refugee status in the United States, nongovernmental organizations on contract with the U.S. State Department determine where the refugees will be sent. In Alaska, refugee resettlement is coordinated by Catholic Social Services’ Refugee Assistance Immigration Services program. Currently, Alaska receives about 120 refugees each year from war torn countries like Somalia, Burma, Sudan, the Congo, and Iraq.

“My highest concern is the safety of all Alaskans, and I appreciate the work being done by Catholic Social Services to help refugees settle in our state, and become valuable members of our community,” Governor Walker said. “I am committed to working with the federal government to ensure the highest level of safety for the citizens of Alaska and the United States, and I want to make sure Alaska officials play a role in refugee relocations efforts in our state.”

At the G-20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, President Barack Obama underscored the need for nations around the world to unite against the threat of terrorism.

Obama speaking Sunday on the Syrian refugee crisis said, "When I hear folks say that, well, maybe we should just admit the Christians but not the Muslims; when I hear political leaders suggesting that there would be a religious test for which a person who’s fleeing from a war-torn country is admitted, when some of those folks themselves come from families who benefitted from protection when they were fleeing political persecution—that’s shameful. That’s not American. That’s not who we are. We don’t have religious tests to our compassion."

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) prefers an immediate moratorium and released a statement Tuesday in response to concerns over whether or not to allow Syrian refugees into the United States.

Murkowski said, “I urge the President to agree to an immediate moratorium on granting asylum to Syrian refugees. A moratorium is necessary for the Congress and the American people to better understand the adequacy of our existing refugee vetting process and whether meaningful additional steps need to be taken when considering the applications of Syrian refugees. My view is that the security of Alaskans and all Americans must come first." - More...
Wednesday PM - November 18, 2015

Alaska: New Leadership for Department of Corrections Announced - Governor Bill Walker announced new leadership for the Department of Corrections this week. Walter Monegan III was named Interim Commissioner of the state agency, which oversees the confinement of inmates living in correctional facilities, halfway houses, and community jails across Alaska. This announcement comes in conjunction with the release of Governor Walker’s administrative review of the Department of Corrections and its facilities.

“The core values of this administration include public trust, respect, and community service. Everything we say and do as an administration must reflect these values, and that begins with the leadership in every department,” said Governor Walker on Monday. “I have asked Walt Monegan to step in as the Department of Corrections Interim Commissioner to help us get our house in order, and begin DOC on a path to build public trust and restore integrity.”

Walt Monegan brings to this new role extensive experience in Alaska’s public safety and criminal justice sectors. Monegan began his career in public service as a member of the United States Marine Corps, and later as a volunteer firefighter and medic. He went on to serve more than 33 years with the Anchorage Police Department, including five years as Chief of Police from 2001 to 2006. Upon retirement from APD, Monegan was appointed Commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Public Safety from 2006 to 2008. Most recently, he was President of the Alaska Native Justice Center, a non-profit agency advocating for equality in Alaska’s justice system. - More...
Wednesday PM - November 18, 2015

Alaska: U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is the first to come from Alaska; Companion Trees From Tongass By MARY KAUFFMAN - For more than 50 years, a tree has graced the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. This year, a 74’ Lutz Spruce will be the first U.S. Capitol Christmas tree to come from Alaska and also the first tree to be transported by sea. The tree was prepared for the 4,000-mile expedition by land and by sea, and left the Chugach National Forest followed by a caravan of caretakers for the journey to the U.S. Capitol on October 27th. Alaska's special gift is scheduled to reach its final destination on November 19th. The lighting ceremony for the 2015 National Christmas Tree is scheduled for December 3rd.

U.S. Capitol Christmas tree's "Companion Trees" From Tongass National Forest: Seven “Companion Trees” are also being provided by the Tongass National Forest
Pictured: Art Williams (boat operator), Aaron Steuerwald (forester), Steve Hollis (seasonal forestry technician), and Crystal Vieira (seasonal forestry technician) loaded the trees cut in the Shoal Cove area which is accessed from Ketchikan by boat or float plane.
Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service

The Chugach National Forest in partnership with nonprofit Choose Outdoors is bringing this special gift from Alaska to Washington, D.C. for the 2015 season with the help of Lynden Transport and its nationally recognized driver John Schank.

"This historic journey is only possible with the help of strong community partnerships throughout Alaska and beyond state lines," said Bruce Ward, founder of Choose Outdoors. "We're grateful for the time and resources Lynden Transport is providing to help make this the best tour to date."

"There is no one better to transport this precious cargo – the People's Tree – than our veteran driver John Schank," says Lynden Transport President Paul Grimaldi. "Lynden is an Alaska-based company and our roots run deep in the state. We are proud to be entrusted with the delivery of the national Christmas tree and delighted to support the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour which provides communities with the opportunity to celebrate the spirit of the season. John will do a great job – just as he does every day he drives for Lynden."

Schank was recognized as the 2014 Driver of the Year by the Alaska Trucking Association (ATA) and received a letter of commendation from former Alaska Governor Sean Parnell for 37 years of accident-free driving over the treacherous Dalton Highway linking Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Schank has logged 5 million miles on the highway – more than any other driver in history.

Due to limit space and public safety at the Chugach tree location, the Oct. 27th ceremony was an invite only event. Following a brief ceremony and a blessing by John Ross from the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, the tree was felled by Chugach National Forest Certified C-Faller, Dan Osborn. Two massive cranes supported the tree which was carefully lowered onto a specially designed flatbed trailer with cribbing designed to support the trunk and branches. The total truck and trailer length is over 80-feet long. - More...
Wednesday PM - November 18, 2015