AK HJR19

Recognizes March 24, 2009, as the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, which discharged 10,800,000 gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound and contaminated approximately 1,300 miles of Alaska coastline.

Supports continued practice of escorting all loaded oil tankers through Prince William Sound with at least two escort vessels, regardless of whether they are single-hulled or double-hulled.

Notes the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 mandates only single-hulled tankers of 5,000 gross tons or more be escorted by two vessels, leaving double-hulled tankers without legal escort requirements.

States that since implementation of the two-vessel escort system in Prince William Sound, there have been no major oil spills and potential accidents have been reduced to near misses.

Directs copies of the resolution be sent to federal officials, the Governor of Alaska, oil tanker operators, and members of Alaska's congressional delegation.