The American flag came into being on June 14, 1777, when a resolution was passed in the Continental Congress stipulating "that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation." Hence was birthed the official American flag - and the original Flag Day.

It was 108 year later, in 1885, that a Wisconsin schoolteacher had his pupils observe June 14 as "Flag Birthday," or "Flag Day." By 1891, the New York State Board of Education had adopted the practice, as had the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia. The idea caught on, and across the country, school children assembled on June 14, carrying small flags as patriotic songs were sung and speeches delivered. In fact, in 1894, over 300,000 children celebrated Flag Day in Chicago's city parks.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation calling for the national celebration of Flag Day and in 1949 President Harry Truman signed into federal law a congressional act establishing each June 14 as National Flag Day

Brandon Stone is a member of the Navy Seals platoon we have adopted.

In the past we have sent dozens of packages off to our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan and the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive and appreciative of our efforts. 

Attend our monthly meeting on May 9 at the Baranof and take a pre-addressed, Priority Mail flat rate box to fill with the items requested (below), then mail. Or, if it's easier, drop a few dollars in the adopt-a-troop jar at the meeting and Gale Vandor will package and ship on your behalf

• sunscreen lotion
• lip balm
• dried fruit  
• Heritage ground coffee   
• canned or vacuum-packed smoked salmon   
• chocolate espresso beans

 Address of the troop:

LT Don Anderson 

MARSOC Unit 42556

 SEAL 2037

 Bastion, CP Calero

 FPO AP 96427

 If you would like to send a card or any of the below items 

to Brandon the address is:

LT Brandon Stone

National Naval Center

8901 Wisconsin Ave.

East Bldg. 10, Ward 5 East, Room 5B

Bethesda, MD 20889 

• dried fruit  
• Heritage ground coffee   
• canned or vacuum-packed smoked salmon   
• chocolate espresso beans 

  Rep. Cathy Muñoz 

FY12 Capital Budget

At last the FY12 capital and operating budgets are complete. The key issue that delayed the legislative process was inclusion of a controversial provision in the budget which preempted the bicameral process and restricted the executive veto power. Ultimately, the language was removed and the process completed.

The $3.2 billion infrastructure spending plan includes $719 million in federal receipts, $440 million in alternative energy developments, as well as approximately $900 million in savings components and debt payment.

Our legislative successes include funding for vocational education and a new statewide scholarship program, Auke Bay Harbor reconstruction, the State Library, Archives and Museum project, a new Alaska Class Ferry, and many community infrastructure projects.

Pending final approval by the Governor, Juneau will receive $77 million in infrastructure funding for energy, transportation, harbors and facilities projects.

Some of the highlights include:

$17.5 million - Brotherhood Bridge and Industrial Blvd

$4 million - Fritz Cove Road Rehabilitation

$5 million - Auke Bay Harbor

$7.5 million - Juneau Cruise Ship Dock

$5 million - State Libraries and Archives Project

$5 million - Native Heritage and Archives Building

$4 million - UAS Banfield Hall

$11 million - Glacier Highway - Eagle Beach to Bessie Creek

$1.2 million - Auke Lake Trail/Wayside - connecting UAS to Brotherhood Bridge

To see a full list of capital projects go to  www.cathymunoz.com.

 Cathy Muñoz

 Adopt-A-Highway 

Cleanup  

May 7

Message to Capital City Republican Women

It is with excitement and humility that I assume the leadership of the Alaska Federation of Republican Women as your statewide president.  In 2012 the AFRW will celebrate its 50^th year and I am determined to do my part to keep our organization strong, relevant and well-funded for another 50 years. 

My goals are simple yet challenging, but nothing for your awesome group to worry about for one minute.  The AFRW must follow your example in recruiting and retaining members. We must raise money to elect Republicans. Everything we do in the next two years must work toward the goal of electing and re-electing more Republican legislators and raising money to unseat Mark Begich.  Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young need another Republican to help them with the heavy lifts in Washington DC.

You are a strong and visionary Club and the Alaska Federation of Republican Women always looks to your leaders for excellent advice and ideas.  Keep up your good work and remember the words of Senator Ben Campbell, a Democrat who was "saved" and changed to a Republican in 1995. He was Cheyenne and a leader in the United States Senate with Senator Ted Stevens.  He said, "There is but one secret to success and that is to never give up!" 

Respectfully,

Rhonda Boyles, President AFRW

PS:  Feel free to contact me any time:

907-388-2606

boyles@gci.net 

 As we head into summer, Congress continues to stand up to President Obama and stand up for the American people. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), introduced HR34 establishing a budget framework for FY2012 that outlines appropriate budget levels for 2013-2021. The bill, known as the Path to Prosperity, reduces federal spending by $6.2 trillion over the President's FY2012 budget over ten years and tackles the tough issue of entitlement reform with changes to Medicare, that no one else has had the courage to put forward. Congressman Young voted yes. "This guide, while not perfect, is a good starting point to reining in the out-of-control spending, cutting costs, and getting us back on track."  You can the details of this plan at  http://budget.house.gov.

Raising the debt ceiling has been the hot topic the last few weeks in Congress. On May 31^st the House voted on a bill HR1954 to implement the President's request to increase the statutory limit on the public debt. Congressman Young, along with all Republicans and nearly 50% of the Democrats voted no. The bill did not contain any language to control spending.

Gas prices continue to rise while this Administration makes domestic production very difficult. On April 12^th, Congressman Young voted to reverse Obama's moratorium on offshore drilling saying "Responsible exploration and development of our resources is the key to the economic future of this country." Shortly after this bipartisan bill passed the House, the President gave somewhat encouraging remarks about domestic oil production in his weekly address. "It's no secret that President Obama and I are on opposite sides of the spectrum on this issue and while this morning's announcement doesn't go as far as I would like towards making our country more energy independent, it is a step in the right direction. I am pleased that the President is finally starting to listen to the American people".

Congressman Young will be in Juneau this month and will be speaking at the Trunk & Tusk Luncheon on Monday June 27^th, noon at the Baranof.  

You can RSVP at juneaugop@gmail.com.

National Federation of Republican Women 

Pass a resolution to honor 

Ronald Reagan Centennial

"What I'd really like to do is go down in history as the president who made Americans believe in themselves again."

"Without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

 WHEREAS, Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, IL, graduated from Dixon High School in 1928, Eureka College in 1932, and served in the Army from 1942 through 1945, being promoted to the rank of Captain;

WHEREAS, after a successful career as a radio announcer and screen actor, President of the Screen Actors Guild, and was elected Governor of California by 1 million votes in 1966 and was re-elected in 1970;

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan was elected as President of the United States in 1980 and re-elected in 1984; his Presidency focused of many issues not the least of which included national security "peace through strength," economic policies known as "Reaganomics," and played a significant role in the decline of communism; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan will be remembered as one of the most effective presidents in U.S. history; and he is a role model whose belief in God, conservative beliefs, and principles of character should be emulated in order to preserve freedom and prosperity for generation to come; 

RESOLVED, The National Federation of Republican Women remembers President Ronald Reagan fondly in this his centennial year, and expresses heartfelt gratitude for his exemplary service to our country and the world; and extends warm wishes to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family, and may his legacy endure for many generations.

Mark your calendar!

Saturday, July 23

Ted Stevens Day Events

Capital City Republicans will celebrate the recently enacted Ted Stevens Day with a picnic at Sandy Beach for the whole family.  Later that evening there will be a  wine-tasting at the home of Murray and Sara Walsh.  Stay tuned for more information about these fun and exciting events honoring the Greatest Alaskan of all time, the late Senator Ted Stevens.

Alaska has always relied on its abundant natural resources as the cornerstone of growth and economic stability. From the Klondike gold rush to the discovery of oil and construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline, Alaskans have earned a living developing our vast natural wealth. And our commitment to responsible development through the regulatory processes we have in place has allowed us to leverage our oil and mineral resources while protecting our land, water, fisheries and wildlife.

As technologies and modern development practices have advanced, so has our ability to coexist with these resources. But the Pebble Mine discussion is being framed by many as an issue of competing resources - fishing versus mining.

This project should not be weighed as an either-or situation, with Alaskans being told they must choose between two important resources. Alaska has a history of development projects and important fishery resources coexisting, and until a mine plan is formally proposed, it's unfair to assume Pebble can't do the same.

Consider the Red Dog Mine in Northwest Alaska, the largest zinc mine in the world. Before discovery of the mineral deposits there, naturally high concentrations of cadmium, lead, zinc and other metals in the creek draining the deposit were too toxic to support aquatic life. After mining began, year-round releases of treated mine wastewater into Red Dog Creek allowed healthy fish populations to establish themselves. Those fish populations are now protected.

And then there's Fort Knox. It's an open-pit mine 30 miles north of Fairbanks and the second largest gold producer in Alaska. In 1995, previously mined lands were converted into reservoir and wetland areas. A fisheries project initiated prior to construction has since shown dramatic fish population increases in the water supply reservoir. Upon mine closure, those lands will be turned over to the State to operate as a public recreation area.

Alaska has one of the most stringent regulatory frameworks in the world, which has allowed responsible mining and important fishery resources to coexist. If Pebble cannot live up to those standards it will not - and should not - be advanced. But our state constitution guarantees the right to navigate the permitting process. And Pebble, located on state land designated for mineral exploration and development, deserves to pursue a plan that could live up to those standards.

Do you remember when people said that the pipeline couldn't be built, that it was impossible to mine above the article circle and that offshore drilling wasn't a reality? Alaska has proven those theories wrong and it's irresponsible to disregard the possibility that Pebble could be safely developed without first considering what is being proposed.     

Of course, we don't yet know what the Pebble Partnership will propose in Southwest Alaska because a formal mine plan has not yet been completed. But what is clear is that a more rational discussion about the project is needed once the facts are made available.

Alaska and its resources have always been sacred, and the responsible management of them is crucial to our collective future. Instead of choosing between developing our mineral resources and protecting our fisheries, we must ensure that they continue to successfully coexist.  

May Monthly Member Meeting

(Joint Meeting with CCR)

Randy Ruedrich, 

Chairman of the Alaska Republican Party

discussed redistricting 

June 2, 1924

Republican President Calvin Coolidge signs bill passed by Republican Congress granting U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans.

June 5, 1956

Republican federal judge Frank Johnson rules in favor of Rosa Parks in decision striking down "blacks in the back of the bus" law.

June 5, 2004

Former president Ronald Reagan died.

June 8, 1866

U.S. Senate passes Republicans' 14^th Amendment guaranteeing due process and equal protection of the law to all citizens; 94% of Republicans vote yes and 100% of Democrats vote no.

June 14, 1954

Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the order inserting the words "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mandarin Salad

1 cup sliced almonds

3 T sugar

Equal amounts Romaine & Red Leaf Lettuce

1 cup chopped celery

2  green onions thinly sliced

1 (11 oz.) can Mandarin oranges, drained

Dressing

½ tsp salt

Dash pepper

½ cup vegetable oil

1 T chopped parsley

1 ½ T sugar

2 T white rice wine vinegar

Tabasco sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

In small saucepan over medium heat, cook almonds and sugar until almonds are coated and sugar dissolved. (burns easily!) Spread on wax paper to cool.

Mix dressing ingredients - chill

Just before serving, add almonds and oranges to salad greens and celery - toss with dressing and serve.

CCRW Member, Pat Tynan