Alaska State Legislature
News from the Senate and House Majorities

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
web site at http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

House Votes to "Bring Back Balto"

Resolution Urges Return of Serum Run Lead Dog from Ohio

For Immediate Release April 23, 1998: Contact Representative Scott Ogan at (907) 465-3878.

Juneau – The Alaska House of Representatives Thursday unanimously approved House Joint Resolution 62, which urges the Museum of Natural History in Cleveland, Ohio, to return the preserved remains of Balto to Alaska. Balto was the lead dog on the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome.

"A combined second-and third-grade class in my district wrote to me, asking my help in bringing Balto home," said Representative Scott Ogan (R-Palmer), sponsor of House Joint Resolution 62. "This was inspired by a third-grader who read a book on the brave dog team that brought the much-needed diphtheria serum to Nome," Ogan said.

"The question here is: where is Balto most valuable and in what ways can his preservation best serve people?" Ogan said. "HJR 62 makes the point that the preservation should be kept as close as possible to the scene of the actual event for it to have the greatest impact," Ogan said. "It is here, in Alaska, that the famous lead dog can continue to be "Man's best friend."

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Broadcasters note: Comments are available by calling the House Majority Actuality Line at (800) 478-6540.
= Scott Ogan, 113 K