Alaska State Legislature

News From The Senate and House Majorities

State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Ken Freeman (907) 465-3804
Wendy Lindskoog (907) 465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540
Contact: Senate/House Majority Council: Ted Popely, 907/465-3439
For Immediate Release, January 23, 1997

State Leaders Unite to Preserve State Sovereignty

JUNEAU -- Senate President Mike Miller and House Speaker Gail Phillips met with Governor Tony Knowles to develop a unified strategy for presenting the State of Alaska's case before the U.S. Supreme Court in the Venetie Indian Country case.

The strategy calls for the retention of a Washington D.C. law firm specializing in preparing petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court. The firm, Hogan & Hartson, will urge the country's highest court to review the recent Venetie Indian Country ruling by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that could potentially establish more than 200 sovereign governments within Alaska.

"The question of Indian Country has the potential to alter Alaska’s social landscape forever," said Senate President Mike Miller. "Recognizing the enormous social and economic implications Indian Country could have on our state, the Legislature and the Governor feel no expense should be spared in fighting this issue together."

"It must be understood that the recent Ninth Circuit Court decision could establish 226 separate and sovereign governments in Alaska, all with far-reaching government powers such as fish and wildlife management and taxation," said House Speaker Gail Phillips. " If Indian Country is created statewide, Alaska's ability to function effectively as a state will be severely impeded."

"Alaska must stand united on this fight," Phillips said. "Alaska's Legislature, Congressional Delegation, and Governor will stand together. Today’s announcement speaks to the importance of this issue to our future."

Senator Miller and Speaker Phillips emphasized that the recent alliance between the Legislature and the Administration is essential to halt the potential for endless litigation over Tribal Government Powers.

"The Alaska Legislature has always been sympathetic to the growing concerns in Alaska’s Native communities," said Miller. "The creation of Indian Country, however, is not the cure-all. To the contrary, Indian Country will create more problems for Alaska than it may solve."

"We must resolve this issue once and for all to unify Alaska and move forward in addressing all of Alaska’s challenges -- to educate our children, increase jobs, support responsible economic development, and protect the civil rights of all Alaskans," said Miller.

"This is a fundamental issue of a state's sovereignty over its own affairs," said Phillips. "That is why we hope to convince the Supreme Court to hear our case."

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