Alaska Governor Sarah Palin SB149 Signing
Lions Clubs International, Multiple District 49
DRAFT
Coast International Inn
Anchorage, Alaska
April 19, 2008 (5pm)
Speaker: Lion Howard Rixie (Salcha, AK)
Good afternoon. Today, we are here amongst the Lions of Alaska and Western
Canada, and incoming President of Lions Clubs International, Al Brandel. We are
also joined by Alaska’s most favorite governor, Governor Sarah Palin.
Today the Knights of the Blind are celebrating!
In 1925 Helen Keller had asked the lions; “…will you not help me hasten the day
when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child
untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you lions…. Will you not
constitute yourselves knights of the blind in this crusade against darkness?
We are the knights of the blind, and take a very active part in the crusade
against darkness.
The Lions are the ones who urged Senator Therriault of North Pole, to sponsor
Senate Bill 149. It’s a bill which enables a non-profit to apply for and be
certified by the State of Alaska to safely fit any Alaskan, free of charge, with
a set of recycled eye glasses. Under this law, an Alaskan must present a
prescription obtained from a licensed optometrist or physician. Through the
assistance of eye care professionals or certified volunteers, the glasses
provided will conform, to the greatest extent possible, to that prescription.
Our urging was predicated on two projects we very actively and aggressively
support, namely eyeglass recycling and eye care for the needy.
Annually, across our vast territory, approximately 1,500 people are referred to
us for eye exams, eyeglasses, and sometimes other major eye care needs, i.e.,
surgeries. Though our process may vary in our different service areas, it
typically, involves someone referring a needy client to us, where we refer them
to local state public assistance or health services representatives to establish
the validity of need. They validate whether the person is eligible for
assistance under other programs, i.e., Denali Kid Care, Medicare, the VA, etc.
If the person is found to be truly in need, their situation and circumstances
are referred to us. We find a lions club to sponsor them financially; where the
Lions agree to pay the fees on the person’s behalf. In the interior we have a
standing agreement with local eye doctors to provide eye exams at a flat rate of
$60; and eyeglasses at a flat rate of $110; for a total of $170 per person
assisted.
Even the lions’ resources are constrained. The costs of our eye care program for
the needy is daunting. And many times valid persons in need have to go on a wait
list, until resources become available.
Our other project--Eyeglass Recycling; Our recycling involves approximate 30-40
thousand pairs of glasses being collected and sent to our recycling center in
North Pole; at that location volunteers give up thousands of hours to sort,
clean, inspect, repair, package and ship approximately 30 thousand pairs of
eyeglasses through out the world to support vision care health missions in third
world countries. All of this happens while many people in Alaska go without.
We researched whether we could redistribute eyeglasses within Alaska. We were
told the Alaska laws do not preclude it, nor does it enable it. To make sure we
stood on firm footing and didn’t violate any statues we urged the making of
Senate Bill 149.
In the very end, we envision each eye doctor donating one or two Saturdays a
year to give free eye exams; meaning we can offer free eye exams once or twice
per month. We also hope that somewhere amongst our thousands of ready-to-wear
eyeglasses there will be a pair that perfectly meets the doctor’s prescription,
or at least near perfect; so the needy person not only gets a free eye exam, but
also gets a free pair of eyeglasses immediately—we believe this vision of eye
care for the needy will reduce eye care costs from $170 down to about 25 cents.
More importantly, 1,500 more people each year will enjoy the gifts that sight
brings.
In Senator Therriault’s words, “This new law allows an important need to be
met.” The Lions Clubs devote a tremendous amount of volunteer time and resources
to gathering, repairing and providing used eye glasses to people in third world
countries; this new law allows them to continue their good work to serve those
in need right here in Alaska.”
In March 2007, Senator Therriault introduced SB149. During this past legislative
session the bill gained overwhelming support in the various committees in the
Senate and House; and was unanimously endorsed by both the Senate and House;
which brings us to today. The next step in SB149 becoming law is for the Alaska
Governor to sign it.
Governor Palin introduced by Howard Rixie
Ladies and gentlemen; it my extreme pleasure to introduce to you a proud
supporter of the Lions; the unsung heroes of the blind and visually impaired.
Ladies & gentlemen, please welcome Governor Sarah Palin.
Govern Palin’s Comments
Governor Palin Signs SB149
Governor Palin Photo with
Incoming President of Lions Clubs International, Al Brandel, Lions District 49A
Governor, Mike Barber (Unalaska), Lions District 49B incoming Governor Wes Burno
(North Pole), Lions Multiple District 49 Council Chairman, Jeremiah Myers
(Kodiak), and Past District Governor Howard Rixie.
Closing by Howard Rixie
Ladies and gentlemen; We thank Governor Palin for taking time out of her busy
schedule to make the signing of SB149 something very special. This concludes our
signing ceremony. Thank you