Dunleavy proclaims Charlie Kirk Day for a second year and Employment First Awareness Week

Gov. Mike Dunleavy proclaimed Wednesday, Oct. 14, "Charlie Kirk Day In Recognition of the First Amendment" in Alaska.

The proclamation encourages Alaskans to honor Kirk "by practicing civil dialogue, protecting the right of free expression, and preserving the liberty that defines our nation."

The date is Kirk's birthday. The proclamation says he was born Oct. 14, 1993, founded Turning Point USA and traveled the country to speak "in forums, classrooms, and campuses where his convictions were often met with opposition." It says Kirk "gave his life in defense of these freedoms." Kirk was assassinated Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking to young Americans, according to Turning Point USA.

The proclamation is nearly identical to the one Dunleavy issued last October. In a September 2025 statement, he wrote, "As governor, I pledge to do everything I can to protect the First Amendment in Alaska."

Employment First Awareness Week

It was the governor's second proclamation this week. On Monday, he proclaimed Oct. 12-16 Employment First Awareness Week, calling competitive, integrated employment "the preferred option for people with disabilities."

Alaska became an Employment First state in 2014. The goal was to give people with disabilities the information, training, resources and programs that open up competitive-wage and career jobs. The week overlapped the Employment First Conference at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage on Oct. 12-13, Alaska News reported Sept. 4.

The state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation served 1,997 people with disabilities in fiscal 2025, according to its program highlights. Of those, 288 left the program with jobs, earning an average of $20.51 an hour.