WHEREAS, The Alaska Constitution recognizes that our natural resources are meant for the common use and maximum benefit of all Alaskans; and
WHEREAS a portion of this wealth has been set aside for future generations through the creation of the Permanent Fund, protected from those who would squander it; and
WHEREAS a portion of the earnings from Alaska’s resource wealth is distributed as annual dividends to all Alaskan residents; and
WHEREAS, the dividend allows every Alaskan to share in the State’s natural resource wealth, which ultimately belongs to the people, and ensures that government is accountable to the people; and
WHEREAS, on this day, 37 years ago, the first dividend checks of $1,000 were distributed to Alaskan residents; and
WHEREAS, as the Permanent Fund earned 10.7% last fiscal year and has grown to $66 billion, which includes $19 billion within the Earnings Reserve Account; and
WHEREAS, Governor Jay Hammond said, “As go dividends, so goes the Permanent Fund. Cap, reduce, or eliminate the PFD and the Fund will follow suit”.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Michael J. Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2019 as:
Permanent Fund Dividend Appreciation Day
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to reflect on the unique opportunity the Permanent Fund Dividend has provided our State, and remind Alaskans of their mutual responsibility to ensure the Permanent Fund and Permanent Fund Dividend are protected from those who wish to spend it today at the expense of the future generations of Alaska.
