| Grange
Membership in Alaska on the Rise
Washington,
April 26, 2004 - The National Grange and the Alaska Grange Council announced
today the official formation of the Alaska State Grange. After a 70-year effort
to recruit members, Alaska Granges are now present in Anchorage, Palmer, Fairbanks,
North Pole, Two Rivers and Delta Junction. The
newly-founded Alaska State Grange will adopt its state bylaws and vote on its
state officers at its annual state convention on May 15, 2004. The persistence
of Alaskan Grange members has afforded their state the opportunity to vote at
the National Grange's 138th annual convention in Rochester, New York. In November
2004, Alaska will use its first vote to help the Grange set its national legislative
agenda, called the Blueprint for
Rural America.
The
Blueprint for Rural America is
the Grange's 10-point legislative program that works to revitalize rural America
and return U.S. agriculture to prosperity by improving rural healthcare, public
education, telecommunications, energy production and transportation. The Alaska
State Grange is expected to advocate for the reorganization of the Ninth Circuit
Court of Appeals in favor of organizing a Twelfth Circuit Court of Appeals at
the National Grange's 138th annual convention. The Alaskan State Grange argues
that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is dominated by California and does not
adequately represent the beliefs of Alaskan citizens. It will also advocate for
legislation concerning the No Child Left Behind, the Patriot and the Western Land
Use acts.
"For
more than 135 years, Grange communities across the nation have banded together
to speak with one, strong voice at local city halls and in state capitols and
Washington, DC," National Grange President William Steel said. "Alaskan Grangers
will now make our voice stronger and louder as we continue to fight for legislation
in this country that will improve and enrich rural America." Granges
in Alaska date back to 1934 when the Northland Pioneer Grange No. 1 was organized
in Palmer, Alaska by colonists from the Midwest who relocated to the Matanuska
Valley. Alaska will be the 38th state to form a State Grange. To
arrange interviews with Alaska State Grange President David McKee, please call
907-488-8619. | 
