Thank you for supporting the welcome reception
The Alaska Committee, in collaboration with the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce, Travel Juneau, the Downtown Business Association, and the City and Borough of Juneau, would like to thank the community of Juneau and local businesses for their generous support in welcoming the 33rd Legislature and staff to Juneau at the annual Community Welcome Reception at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall.
“We were pleased to welcome new and returning legislators and staff to Juneau,” said Wayne Jensen, chair of the Alaska Committee. Jensen noted that this year marks the first in-person event since 2020. “It was great to see the community provide a warm, robust welcome to legislators, staff, and Governor Dunleavy as they began their work here in Juneau.”
Attendees were greeted with lovely live music performed by Guohua Xia and Juneau String Ensembles’ Aurora Strings musicians and later enjoyed delicious food and refreshments prepared by Tlignit and Haida’s Smokehouse Catering.
The Alaska Committee would also like to extend its gratitude to the following businesses and organizations for their contributions and support: Admiralty Environmental, AEL&P, Airlift NW, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Fudge Co., Alaska Litho Inc., Alaska Marine Lines, Alaska Oil and Gas Association, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Alaska Seaplanes, Alaska Travel Industry Association, Alaskan Brewing Co., Alison Browne, Altman Rogers, American Legion Auke Bay Post 25, Auke Bay Yoga, Bartlett Regional Hospital, Blueprint Alaska ,Bullwinkle’s Inc, CBJ – Capital Transit, Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, City and Borough of Juneau, Coastal Helicopters, Coeur Alaska Kensington Mine, Devil’s Club, Don Abels, Donlin Gold, Elgee Rehfeld, LLC, GCI, Glacier Salt Cave, Goldbelt Corp., Goldbelt Inc., Gross Alaska Theater, Halibut Coalition Inc., Hearthside Books and Toys, Hecla Greens Creek Mining Co., Heritage Coffee Co., Holland, Huna Totem, IBEW, Local 1547, Jensen Yorba Wall Inc., Juneau Building Trades Council, Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce, Juneau Downtown Business Association, Juneau Hydropower Inc., Juneau Symphony, Juneau-Douglas City Museum, KTOO, Laraine Derr, Marine Exchange, Mark Kelley Photography, McDonald’s of SEAK , McGivney’s, Mertz CPA Max, MK MacNaughton, NAPA/Glacier Auto Parts, Nugget Alaskan Outfitters, PND Engineers, Princess, Red Dog Saloon, Resolute Boutique, Sealaska, Sealaska Heritage Institute, SEARHC, Senate Mall, True North FCU, University of Alaska Southeast , Valley Paint Center, V’s Cellar Door, William Corbus and Wilson Engineering.
Andrea Watts for the Alaska Committee Board of Directors.
Thank you for supporting Capital Students —Capitol Visits
Capital Students—Capitol Visits, just completed its annual program which ensures that all of Juneau’s eighth grade students have an opportunity to learn their role as citizens in a democracy through a one-day field trip. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Alaska Committee, the program included approximately 350 students and their teachers this year.
Thanks go to program instructors: Sue Baxter, Laurie Berg, Marion Clough, Peggy Cowan, Sally Donaldson, Rebecca Goertzen, Donna Knight-Staton, Marjorie Menzi, Pam Morris, Sally Saddler, Nanci Spear, Virginia Stonkus and Debbie Tillinghast. Teacher Coordinators were Heather Ridgway (Floyd Dryden), Jessica Collins (Dzantik ‘I Heeni), Bridget Bailey and Thomas Schwartz (Montessori Borealis) and Summer Christensen (Community Charter School).
Sen. Jesse Kiehl and Reps. Sarah Hannan and Andi Story met with each group of students providing quality time for explanations of their jobs and answering questions. Thanks also to their staff especially Cathy Schlingheyde, Ella Adkison, Timothy Clark, Seth Whitten and Miranda Worl. Matt Simpson, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, was helpful in ensuring meeting rooms for the student groups and Micaela Bradner, House Sergeant-at-Arms, made sure that student visits to the House Chambers were accommodated and welcomed. Rachel Turner, Building Manager’s Office, also assisted the program.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy made the Cabinet Room available for each group and Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom welcomed students along with her assistant, Kaitlyn McDowell. Administrative personnel of the Dimond Court House, Alicia Steiner and Elizabeth Affatato arranged the extensive list of professional personnel who conducted mock arraignments for the students. Presenters were Judges Amy Mead, Mari Carpenetti, Don Schally, and Kirsten Swanson. Serving as simulation prosecutors were: Jessalyn Gillum, Emily Wright, Sherri Layne, Benjamin Rowe, Benjamin Brown and Grace Lee. Serving as defense attorneys were Deborah Macauley, Nick Polasky, Emily Wright, Lauren Johansen and Chris Peloso.
Marjorie Menzi,
Volunteer program coordinator
