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House Rules Committee advances HJR 4 urging preservation of Denali name
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Summary
The Alaska House Rules Committee on Jan. 27 adopted a committee substitute for HJR 4 and reported the resolution out of committee, asking federal and congressional offices to preserve Denali as the mountain’s official name; HJR 3 was set aside.
Juneau — The Alaska House Rules Committee on Jan. 27 adopted a committee substitute for House Joint Resolution 4 and reported the resolution out of committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note, asking federal officials and Alaska’s congressional delegation to preserve Denali as the official name of North America’s tallest mountain. The committee set HJR 3 aside.
The committee took the action during a short hearing that focused on two similar resolutions introduced in response to a federal executive order. Representative Ashley Carrick, sponsor of HJR 3, and Representative Maxine Deibert, sponsor of HJR 4, both told the committee the measures are meant to affirm the mountain’s name and honor Alaska Native cultural heritage. "Denali, indeed, is far greater than the accomplishments of man," said Representative Ashley Carrick, Representative for House District 35, describing the mountain’s importance to Alaska Native history and state identity.
The committee substitute for HJR 4 (version LS 0339/g) made several drafting changes before the committee adopted it as the working document. Matt Greening, staff to the House Rules Committee, said the substitute adds the United States Secretary of the Interior (named in the draft as Walter Cruickshank for cleanup purposes), the United States Board on Geographic Names, and requests that Alaska’s congressional delegation advocate to preserve Denali as the official name. The substitute also moved language recognizing Walter Harper’s June 7, 1913, summit from HJR 3 into the HJR 4 draft and added a whereas clause supporting efforts to recognize Alaska Native heritage.
Representative Copp moved to adopt the committee substitute as the working document and later moved to report HJR 4 (version LS 0339/g) out of committee "with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note." Both motions were approved by unanimous consent; the clerk did not call a roll and committee members indicated no objections. The record shows the committee reported the resolution out of committee; the transcript does not record a roll-call vote or individual vote tallies.
Committee members who spoke during the discussion expressed support for affirming the name. Representative Edgemond said the name "courses through the business community" and called timely action appropriate. Representative Maxine Deibert told the committee that the name "connects us to our past" and urged support for HJR 4.
The committee concluded its business and adjourned at 9:10 a.m. The reported resolution will proceed according to the House calendar and rules for floor consideration.
