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Committee adopts resolution urging statewide commemoration of Marine Corps’ 250th “birthday”
Summary
The Alaska House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs reported out House Concurrent Resolution 6 as amended on May 6, asking Alaskans to mark the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps and encouraging ceremonies, educational programs and community events.
The Alaska House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs on May 6 reported House Concurrent Resolution 6 out of committee as amended, asking Alaskans to commemorate the United States Marine Corps’ 250th birthday.
Representative Jubilee Underwood, sponsor of HCR 6, told the committee the resolution “calls for statewide commemoration of this milestone, encouraging Alaskans to honor the marine's contributions through ceremonies, educational programs, and community events.” Underwood represents District 27 (Greater Wasilla) and presented the resolution with staff member Buddy Witt.
The resolution honors the Marine Corps’ founding date of Nov. 10, 1775 and cites long-standing Marine Corps traditions the presenters described during their remarks. Witt, a former enlisted Marine, summarized Marine Corps history and practices including the Marine Corps Order 47 series (1921), the annual birthday ball and the cake-cutting ceremony. He said the Marine Corps’ mission includes “conducting amphibious and expeditionary warfare” and noted the service calls its annual commemoration a “birthday,” not an “anniversary.”
Committee members asked procedural and historical questions during discussion. Representative Sadler asked whether this resolution is part of a national push; the sponsor and Witt said it originated with the sponsor’s office and that many states are marking the bicentennial but that they were not aware of an organized national campaign led by veterans’ groups. Representative Nelson and others offered supportive remarks; Representative Nelson said he “will support this resolution.”
The committee considered a friendly amendment to change the word “anniversary” to “birthday,” adopted the amendment after an objection was withdrawn, and then the committee reported HCR 6 out of committee “as amended with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note” after the motion to move it from committee drew no objection. The committee opened public testimony and received none in person or online.
The resolution is ceremonial in nature and does not create binding obligations for state agencies. The committee signed required paperwork following the report-out and moved to the next items on the agenda.
“Semper Fidelis, always faithful,” Underwood said as she closed her presentation.
Background: presenters referenced Marine Corps Order 47 (1921) and the historical founding date of Nov. 10, 1775; Witt cited approximate personnel figures during his remarks, saying there are about 170,000 active-duty Marines and roughly 33,000 in the reserve component (figures he described as approximate).
