ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE
Constitutional Commemoration Committee
Minutes of the Meeting
Friday, February 16, 2007
1:30 p.m., House Hearing Room 3
Members Present:
Bill Norton, Chair Lisa Fink
Senator Thayer Verschoor Representative Andy Biggs
Kelly Cordes
Members Absent:
Senator Richard Miranda Art Harding
Eric Duthie Melodee Jackson
Representative Martha Garcia Dale Langkilde
Staff:
Chad Nitsche, Senate Analyst
Carolyn Atwater, House Analyst
Chairman Norton called the meeting to order at 1:41 p.m. and the attendance was noted. Mr. Norton noted that a quorum was not present.
Discussion of Constitution Dinner
Lisa Fink gave a tentative outline of the dinner preparations. She noted that a Scout Troop honor guard has been arranged, and that they have participated in recent events. It was decided that the Legislative Chaplain will be contacted to conduct the Invocation. She gave a brief breakdown of how long each scheduled presentation should last. It was decided that ten prizes were needed, as there are ten tables scheduled to be at the event. She posed the idea of having the interns from the House of Representatives stationed at the registration table, as they have been in previous years. Ms. Fink noted that she has only received three $600 sponsors, and is expecting a donation from Arizona’s Salt River Project (SRP), who also owes money for the teachers’ manuals that are going to be at each place setting. She subsequently named other people and organizations who have agreed to donate but have not specified an amount.
Mr. Norton posed the idea of showing appreciation for community partners by recognizing representatives of those partners with some kind of gift.
Ms. Fink noted that she has contact information for the expected contributors and has sent out letters to lobbyists as well.
It was noted that the entire event will cost about $8,000, and that Ms. Fink has received $2,100 thus far.
Mr. Norton stated that they have only received a few RSVPs from legislators, and they need to encourage legislators to be in attendance at the event.
On that point, Ms. Fink said that she would send out an email invitation. Also, if sponsors want to bring a spouse or guest to the event, the cost is included.
Kelly Cordes asked if Dr. Woods had completed his flight arrangements.
Mr. Norton confirmed that Dr. Woods is traveling with US Airways.
Ms. Fink noted that she had spoken with a representative from US Airways, who explained that US Airways has made changes to their policies due to budget restrictions.
Mr. Norton and Ms. Fink addressed the size of some of the event’s decorations, specifically a banner that will serve as a backdrop.
To that point, Ms. Fink noted that the Capitol Museum is going to provide the sponsor board.
Ms. Fink asked for questions from the Committee.
Mr. Norton spoke briefly about the effectiveness of the Constitutional Dinner. He offered that in upcoming years, a strategy needs to be “invented” to keep in contact with the legislators, to encourage their participation in the event.
Representative Andy Biggs agreed that a new strategy would bring more people to the event.
Discussion of Distribution of Constitutions to Schools
Mr. Norton announced that the poster has been designed, and was sent to Mr. Cordes via email. The poster contains the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and all of the amendments. It was noted that 50,000 copies of the poster are going to be made and that the cost of these copies is between $10,000 and $12,000. The poster will be distributed to every school in the State of Arizona and hung in every classroom.
Discussion of Constitution Week
Mr. Norton asked if anything regarding Constitution Week needed to be discussed.
Ms. Fink explained that more people are needed to help out with the west side of town.
Mr. Norton addressed Ms. Fink by explaining that he has no available contacts for that side of town, but agreed that the communities should team up.
To that point, Ms. Fink noted that State Farm Insurance had some confusion because of all the events and money requests. The representative from State Farm Insurance proposed that the events should be combined.
Mr. Norton asked the Committee where Scottsdale stands on the subject.
In response to Mr. Norton, Ms. Fink stated that Scottsdale is moving forward.
Representative Biggs said it would be a good idea to involve the legislators, to which Mr. Norton agreed that it would be a good idea to “put them out there” for the people to see and talk to, so that they are recognized by the public as participating in this year’s event. He asked Representative Biggs and Senator Verschoor to be in charge of generating interest among legislators.
Ms. Fink asked Mr. Norton if the Liberty Bell was going to be used.
Mr. Norton explained that he spoke with a staff member from the Capitol Museum who is in agreement with the use of the Liberty Bell, but noted that there isn’t a place for it that will keep it from being damaged. He also talked briefly about the shape of the Liberty Bell, and that its restoration is moving forward.
Regarding the Constitutional Dinner, Mr. Cordes asked if it would be helpful to email the legislators about Dr. Brown, who is scheduled to speak at the event. In response, Mr. Norton agreed that it would be helpful. Representative Biggs volunteered to follow up on that.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jordan Drackett
Committee Secretary
(Audio recordings and attachments on file in the Secretary of Senate’s Office/Resource Center, Room 115).
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Constitutional Commemoration Committee
February 16, 2007
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