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Morgan Sponsors Second Verse to Flag Song
HB 285 Adds New Words Honoring Benny Benson, Alaska Natives

(JUNEAU) - A widely supported measure sponsored by Rep. Carl Morgan, Jr. (R-Aniak) to add a second verse to Alaska's official flag song received swift and unanimous passage today in the House State Affairs Committee.

Introduced by Morgan in advance of the Alaska Legislature's second session, House Bill 285 would officially incorporate a second verse into the Alaska state song. The measure has already won the support of 25 co-sponsors in the House.

"I decided last August when I pre-filed this legislation that this year, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Alaska State Flag, was the time to pass this honoring legislation," Morgan said. "I am overwhelmed with the bipartisan support my colleagues have shown this bill."

The familiar first verse to Alaska's Flag was written by Marie Drake and composed by Eleanor Dusenbury, and was gifted to the University of Alaska in 1960. A second verse was written by Carol Beery Davis and gifted to the University in 1987.

Davis' second verse recognizes Benny Benson, an Alaska Native who was living in the Jessie Lee Home in Seward in 1927 when he submitted the winning design of eight stars of gold on a field of blue that became Alaska's territorial flag, and later the flag for the state of Alaska.

"I wanted the second verse officially incorporated into the Alaska State Song this year to recognize the late Carol Beery Davis, a long time Alaskan from Juneau, whose words not only acknowledge Benny Benson, but also the history, progress, and beauty of the great State of Alaska," Morgan said.

HB 285 moves next to the House Rules Committee.

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Attachments:

• Print Friendly Version
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 1 page(s) - 18 K
• Words to Alaska's Flag Song
  
• The Alaska Chamber Singers sing the first verse to Alaska's Flag Song
  = 350 K
  

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