News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Moose on the Move

Legislature Adopts Moose as the State’s Land Mammal

For Immediate Release: April 17, 1998 Contact: Senator John Torgerson at (907) 465-2828.

Juneau – The House Friday moved Alaska’s gangly herbivore, the moose, one step closer to being named Alaska’s official land mammal by unanimously passing Senate Bill 265. Senator John Torgerson (R-Kasilof), introduced Senate Bill 265 on behalf of his young constituents at Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School. The measure next moves to the Governor to be signed into law.

After realizing Alaska did not have an official land mammal, a Kalifornsky parent asked Senator Torgerson to work with the students in designating one through the state legislative process.

Students agreed on a list of four finalists including the moose, wolf, brown bear and wolverine, based on each mammal’s impact on Alaska’s culture and history. As part of a school government project, the elementary school students held a primary and general election to decide on the winner. They then met with members of Soldotna High School’s government class, who role-played as legislative committee members so the elementary students could practice the presentations they would later make to legislators in Juneau.

"I feel privileged the students in my district asked me to represent their project," Torgerson said. "The students were compelling when they made their presentations to legislative committee members. They gave legislators insight on how they reached their decision and convinced us all the moose deserves elevated status."

Listed are some of the reasons students believed the Moose should be named the official state land mammal:

• "The moose is found in 85 percent of the state, from the Colville River on the North Slope to the Stikine River in the Southeast Panhandle," Jessica Wiggins – sixth grade.
  
• "The moose played an important role in the early development of Alaska. Professional hunters supplied moose meat to the early mining camps," Ashley Rabalais – third grade.
  
• "Most tourists expect to see a moose when visiting Alaska. Many are happy to have their wishes fulfilled," Hanna West – first grade.
  
• "The moose does not harm other animals, it is an herbivore and eats only plants," Zachary Leslie – first grade.
  
• "The Athabaskan culture and some Eskimo cultures were dependent on moose for food, clothing and implements," Casey Foster – fifth grade.
  
• "Currently the moose is the most hunted animal in Alaska and provides 3.5 million pound of meat to the people of Alaska yearly," Remington West – second grade.

"I wish we could develop a project like this for every school. The lessons students learn about the legislative process and how to lobby for their beliefs, how to testify before legislative committees and how to gain support from other governmental bodies, are invaluable. They are real life lessons that will benefit these students as they become Alaska’s future leaders," Torgerson said.

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