Newsletters
Senator Murkowski's E-Newsletter for the week of March 8, 2013
Iditarod I recently returned from participating in the ceremonial start of the 41st Annual Iditarod Sled Dog race, where few words can describe the sights and sounds of 4th Avenue in downtown Anchorage. Thousands of Alaskans, young and old, filled the streets on the foggy March morning to catch a glimpse of the 65 mushers making their way north to Nome. This Alaskan tradition is one of my favorite times of year to catch up with friends and listen to what Alaskans have on their minds. I will be… Continue Reading
01.30.13
Senator Murkowski's E-Newsletter for the week of January 30, 2013
Energy Trip to Asia Earlier this month, I traveled to Asia to meet with Taiwanese and Japanese officials to discuss trade opportunities for Alaska's natural gas. We in Alaska are blessed with an abundance of natural gas but challenged with overcoming the transportation costs of delivering our gas to market. During my meetings, officials from both Japan and Taiwan expressed a strong interest in securing a long-term, stable supply of energy. I can confidently say the markets exist there. Portion… Continue Reading
12.21.12
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of December 21, 2012
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Alaska! I hope you are surrounded by friends, family and loved ones this holiday season, preparing for a happy and healthy 2013. I invite you to watch my holiday message to all Alaskans. (Click image to watch video message) As daylight wanes and snow falls, I'm reminded of the many Holiday traditions that we Alaskans share during this wonderful time of year. From harvesting your own Christmas tree to ice skating on a nearby lake, we are all so very lucky … Continue Reading
09.20.12
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of September 20, 2012
August in Alaska The saying "time flies when you're having fun" truly applied to me this past August in Alaska. I had fun, and I flew a lot! (Nearly 10,000 miles) My travels took me as far south as Metlakatla, as far west as Attu Island on the Aleutian chain, and as far north as Barrow. I thought I would spend this newsletter recapping some of my trips around the state. Sharing Alaska's Energy Options My August journey started with a trip to the North Slope with my Senate colleague John H… Continue Reading
07.19.12
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of July 19, 2012
Murkowski Celebrates 4th of July in Hometown (photo courtesy: Greg Knight, Wrangell Sentinel) Sen. Murkowski lends a hand in the Tug O'War Contest at the 4th of July Celebration in Wrangell, AK Murkowski Reacts to Supreme Court Health Care Ruling On June 28th, 2012 the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, recognizing the law is constitutional not under the Commerce Clause, but through the power of Congress to tax. Effectivel… Continue Reading
06.14.12
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of June 14, 2012
Senator Stevens' "Fatally Mismanaged" Case Earlier this year, I introduced bi-partisan legislation (S. 2197, the Fairness in Disclosure Act of 2012) aimed at eliminating prosecutorial misconduct with regards to discovery rules. Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to discuss my bill. Although I do not sit on the Judiciary Committee, they invited me to testify and share my thoughts on this useful and needed reform. My bill would create a national standard of rules for… Continue Reading
04.25.12
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of April 23, 2012
Murkowski Visits Homer During the Easter recess, I had the opportunity to spend April 4th in Homer and visited a variety of local attractions. The day was jam-packed with events, including visits to Homer High School, Seldovia Village Tribe Wellness Center and the Homer Chamber of Commerce. At the Chamber, I shared with the community my thoughts and views about work in Washington, D.C. and touched on a number of issues that hit home for every day Alaskans - from partisanship in Congress a… Continue Reading
03.01.12
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of February 29, 2012
Murkowski Addresses Alaska Legislature Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Juneau and give my annual address to the State Legislature. This is something I look forward to every year. Visiting the Legislature is a time to catch up with old friends, update the state on things happening back in Washington, D.C., and also listen to legislators' comments, questions and concerns about the future of Alaska and the nation. During this year's address, I touched on a variety of issues, from op… Continue Reading
02.16.12
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of February 15, 2012
AK Delegation Stands United Against F-16 Relocation at Eielson AFB The recently-announced plan by the U.S. Air Force to relocate the F-16 Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage has left many Alaskans with an uneasy feeling and flashbacks to the fight we had back in 2005. Late last week, I, along with the rest of the Alaska delegation, met with U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz to hear the reasoning behind the Air Force… Continue Reading
01.30.12
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of January 27, 2012
Reaction to President Obama's State of the Union Address (At this year's State of the Union address, I was proud to wear a Sunflower to Defeat ALS pin in an effort to raise awareness for ALS. To learn more about Sunflower to Defeat ALS, and to join the cause against this debilitating and life-taking disease, click here) During this year's State of the Union address, I led an effort with Democratic Senator Mark Udall of Colorado to permanently end partisan seating during the annual addres… Continue Reading
12.21.11
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
(Click on video to watch greeting) Seasons greetings eNewsletter subscribers! I would just like to take a few moments to wish Alaskans a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. I hope you will use this special time of year to celebrate all that is good in Alaska; and to count your blessings, to focus on family, friends, good health and good times. As Alaskans we are thankful for the natural beauty of our state and the one-of-a-kind generosity of our neighbors. Let us never take these for granted… Continue Reading
12.05.11
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of December 5, 2011
"Arctic Tough" 4/25th Deploys to Afghanistan Last week, I had the honor of attending the deployment ceremony of the 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. As 3,500 soldiers prepare to spend up to a year in Afghanistan, I joined with our Alaskan community to thank them for their service and wish them success in their upcoming mission. Below are some excerpts from my remarks to the Spartans. "Every American soldier is an ambassador of … Continue Reading
11.14.11
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of November 14, 2011
Honoring Our Nations Veterans Washington, D.C. - Alaska has more veterans per capita than any other state in the nation, and I am proud that they are such an ingrained part of the Alaskan way of life. They are our colleagues, our friends, our next door neighbors. Our armed forces guard our interests worldwide and protect our way of life, and for that I am forever thankful. Sadly, homelessness, suicide and joblessness are stubbornly high among our veterans. Others suffer in silence wit… Continue Reading
10.18.11
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of October 17, 2011
Buckland "First Flush" Sen. Murkowski with the sewer and water crew workers Sen. Murkowski with Jacob Carter, owner of the first house to be hooked up In 2006, I visited the village of Buckland and heard the concern of residents who lacked sewer and water. I promised one of the elders, Dora Hadley, that I would work with her and the community to change this within her lifetime. On Sept. 26th, I attended Buckland's ceremonial first "flush" of their new sewer collection system. This ceremon… Continue Reading
09.27.11
Senator Murkowski's E-newsletter for the week of September 26, 2011
Murkowski Pushes Jobs, Debt Reduction during House ANWR Hearing Last week, I testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources about the vast potential of oil and gas development in the non-wilderness area of ANWR. Development would help address three of America's key concerns: it would create jobs, reduce the deficit and increase our energy security. Responsible production of the more than 10 billion barrels of oil estimated to be in the ANWR coastal plain would deliver hundreds of b… Continue Reading
09.16.11
Sen. Murkowski's e-newsletter for the week of September 12
Recess Reflections (Sen. Murkowski with Klawock City Manager Leslie Isaacs, and student carvers Sydney Isaacs and James Mills at the Woodworm Totem raising in Klawock. For more photos from Klawock click here) The August recess brought me back home and gave me an opportunity to visit and hear from Alaskans from Klawock to Barrow, Kenai to Unalaska. I spoke with veterans, educators, small business owners, health officials and our men and women in uniform. The issue that was continuously brought… Continue Reading
03.14.11
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of March 14
Rural School and Community Trust Webinar Series on Rural School Innovations The webinar series is free and open to all rural educators or an aspiring educators, community-based activists, policy analysts, faith-based organizations, or education advocates for underserved and rural children. The next webinar will be March 16, 2011 at 2:00 pm. ET. The featured innovation will be: The Search Institute The Building Assets-Reducing Risks (BARR) Program: Replication and Expansion of an Effec… Continue Reading
02.28.11
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of February 28
President Proposes Federal Funding for Fiscal Year 2012 The link to a chart of the President's request for Fiscal Year 2012 funding for U.S. Department of Education programs is available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget12/summary/appendix6.pdf. This chart is much easier to read and understand than the President's Budget Request book. Please note that this is the President's proposal for FY12. It is not the Continuing Resolution for FY11 that Congress is still working … Continue Reading
02.15.11
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of February 15
What Works Clearinghouse Reviews Saxon Math The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) has released a new report this week that reviews the research on Saxon Math for high school students. One of eight studies reviewed met WWC evidence standards. Based on this study, the WWC found Saxon Math to have no discernable effects on math achievement for high school students. The full report is available at http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/reports/hs_math/saxon/. US Department of Education Releases Repor… Continue Reading
02.07.11
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of February 7
U.S. Department of Education Now Soliciting Applications for the Alaska Native Educational Equity Grant Program The U.S. Department of Education has just opened the grant application period for the Alaska Native Educational Equity grant competition. You can find a synopsis of the notice at http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=67373. The full Federal Register announcement is available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-01-31/pdf/2011-2075.pdf. The Depar… Continue Reading
