It's a sunny day in Kenai and just right for a ceremony that has become as American as apple pie. The bill signing. Today's post by President and CEO Diane Kaplan captures impressions of the signing ceremony for HB 75, legislation that's win-win-win all around.

HB 75 best

It was a sunny, still day in Kenai and the mosquitos were buzzing. State and Kenai Peninsula leaders were assembled: Governor Sean Parnell, Commissioners Diane Blumer (Labor), Susan Bell (Commerce) and Cora Campbell (Fish and Game); Senate President Charlie Huggins and House Speaker Mike Chenault; Senators Pete Micciche and Lesil McGuire; Representatives Paul Seaton, Kurt Olson and Lynn Gattis; Kenai Borough Mayor Mike Navarre; Kenai Mayor Pat Porter.

Bill-signing ceremonies are an American tradition. Alaska Community Foundation President Candace Winkler and I were in Kenai earlier this week for the signing of HB75, which enables more organizations to participate in Pick.Click.Give. HB75 also sets in place a mechanism to sustain the program in the future, setting aside a small portion of each organization’s donations. (Pick.Click.Give enables Alaskans to donate all or part of their PFD’s to nonprofit causes of their choice.) There is a chuckle from the assembled crowd when it’s noted that this legislation won’t cost the state a penny. Present are representatives of organizations that will benefit: a Fairbanks arts organization, a Kenai Peninsula women’s shelter, and a Christian college. It’s a good day. The speeches are made, the applause follows, the signing is done, and ceremonial pens commemorating the event are handed out by the Governor. Cameras click all the while. It’s a nice day in Kenai.