Politics

Lawmakers apologize for wording on breastfeeding initiative news release

JUNEAU -- Alaska House members apologized Tuesday for a news release on a breastfeeding initiative that had the words "smart and sexy" in the headline.

HCR18 sponsor Rep. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, said she intended to draw attention to the issue but not the kind it garnered.

She apologized Tuesday for the "poor choice of words" and said she was sorry if she offended anyone.

She and House Speaker Mike Chenault took responsibility for the news release, sent from the majority office Monday after legislative passage of the resolution. It was intended to support and recognize benefits of breastfeeding but wound up spawning jokes, some off-color.

Hughes, in the Monday release, said the Legislature is fond of natural resource development and it's time to "endorse the extraction of this God-given, abundant and renewable natural resource."

Associated Press

ADVERTISEMENT