NORTHERN CONFERENCE OF YOUNG ALASKANS

All kinds of folks visit my legislative office in Juneau. Many are seeking funds for their program – and it’s usually for a very good cause. Many others come to persuade me to vote “yes” or “no” on a particular bill. All this is good.

But my favorite visitors? Young people who want to learn how the legislative process works (or doesn’t work), and talk to me about their vision for the future of our state and nation. These young people bring fresh ideas, new perspectives, and optimism. I wish I had had that opportunity when I was their age.

Today five such future Alaska leaders came to visit me. They were sponsored by the Northern Conference of Young Alaskans. It’s encouraging that our future belongs to them. One of them, Amy Voss, lives just a couple blocks from me in Anchorage – but it was the first time I met her. Amy is studying German and International Relations at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I told her I had lived in Germany a couple years, can actually ask directions in my version of German, and that I have English-German bilingual daughter (Robyn) and grandson (Nathan), and that I enjoy playing sax in Oompah “blasmusik” bands.