The Nineteenth Alaska State Legislature expresses it sincere gratitude and admiration for KTOO-TV’s tremendously successful Gavel-to-Gavel coverage of the 1996 legislative session. Begun in 1995 as a pilot project for the first session of the Nineteenth Legislature, Gavel-to-Gavel was not initially embraced by every one, a common fate of bold new ideas. But the marvelous reception and response of the viewing public of Alaska, coupled with the smoothly executed and amazingly thorough coverage yielded by the service, proved that it was to become a full-fledged source for the broadcast presentation of the meetings, sessions and overall legislative process.

      Available on numerous cable television services all across the Great Land, Gavel-to-Gavel is seen from Barrow to Ketchikan, from Delta Junction to Unalaska. The remoteness of Alaska’s capital city has, as anyone but a Cheechako knows, been one, if not the most, perennially divisive and contentious issue in the state’s history. The pressures to make the capital city more accessible have led to many innovative uses of technology to bridge the geographical gap. From the legislative teleconference network’s expansion to videoconference capacity, to the incomparable Public Opinion Message system availed by countless Alaskan constituents, here are many shining examples of efforts to expand access and foster understanding. But the jewel in the crown of all the outreach that’s been done, is certainly the day-long, dedicated coverage of Gavel-to-Gavel. The longer hours at the end of session have been faithfully attended by Gavel-to-Gavel’s cameras, and the expert and professional Gavel-to-Gavel staff seem to set up their cameras, film meetings, and otherwise to their jobs so unobtrusively as to go almost unnoticed.

      With the advent of Gavel-to-Gavel, more television in the Capitol itself have probably been tuned into the same thing than ever before. More Alaskans have seen and listened to more substantive work of the Legislature, as it was happening, than ever before. At the same time more legislators are in touch with how they are perceived by their constituents and the great body of Alaskans by seeing themselves on television. The flow of information and understanding in both directions has been vastly broadened. The accessibility of recorded tapes of sessions and hearings to those unable to attend the real thing is, beyond comparison, a vast improvement over audio recordings.

      KTOO-FM & TV is and has long been a highly successful pioneer in the world of Alaskan public broadcasting. Gavel-to-Gavel coverage would not be possible without the generous support of many other businesses and organizations. The talented staff, under the direction of Jeff Berliner, has shared their gifts with knowledge-hungry viewers across the state. All Alaskans can take pride in the fantastic success of Gavel-to-Gavel. Every Alaskan is better off since the advent of this clever and intelligent broadcast service, so perfectly suited to covering the immense distances of the Last Frontier.

Gail Phillips – Speaker of the House
Drue Pearce – President of the Senate
Cynthia Toohey – Prime Sponsor

Date: May 9, 1996

Co-Sponsors: Representatives Phillips, Austerman, Brice, Brown, Bunde, Davies, B. Davis, G. Davis, Elton, Grussendorf, Ivan, James, Kohering, Kott, Kubina, Long, Mackie, Mulder, Navarre, Nicholai, Ogan, Porter, Robinson, Rokeberg, Sanders, Therriault, Vezey, Williams, Willis; Senators Leman, Sharpe, Salo, Duncan, Lincoln, Green, Pearce, Halford, Adams, Ellis, Reiger, Miller, Taylor, Kelly.