The Alaska House of Representatives, on a votes of 34-1, rebuked the “unprovoked, unlawful, and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation in the strongest possible terms.”
Rep. David Nelson, who introduced the measure stated, “Tonight showed that the House of Representatives stands against a totalitarian tyrant that is hell bent on conquest and that we also support our allies and honor the bravery and heroism of the free people of Ukraine. I am thankful for the support of my colleges in the house minority and the House Collation.”
Rep. Laddie Shaw, who served two tours as a US Navy SEAL in Vietnam, said, “Brave citizens taking up arms to preserve their homes and their freedom from an aggressive, totalitarian power – that’s something I’ve seen before. The Ukrainian people’s brave resistance hangs by a thread. [Russian President] Putin is doing all he can to extinguish the heroism we see out of Ukraine every day – let’s recognize their valor while it is still on display, against whatever comes.”
The “sense of the House” recognizes the bravery and self-determination of the Ukrainian people for defending their country and calls on the Biden Administration and the United States government to:
Resume the regular and uninterrupted supplying of Ukraine with military aid, including lethal aid suitable to counter Russian aggression;
Support the membership of Ukraine in the European Union; and
Promote global energy independence from the Russian Federation, and domestic energy independence through the encouragement of domestic energy production of all types.
Rep. David Eastman of Wasilla voted against the Sense of the House.
Rep. Laddie Shaw, a Navy SEAL veteran, noted that Nelson is the only member of the House who is still in uniform, and quoted a saying that had touched him about the conflict: “If Russia stops fighting, there is no war, if Ukraine stops fighting, there is no Ukraine.”
