Newsletters
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 06-24-09
Health Care Forum Americans are looking to Congress and the White House to see whether lawmakers and the president will deliver on their promises to reform our health care system. This is an issue that impacts every American and I am committed to working with both my Republican and Democratic colleagues to make improvements. Our success will be measured by whether we craft a health care bill that reduces costs while providing affordable, comprehensive medical coverage that ensures cont… Continue Reading
06.12.09
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 06-12-09
Murkowski Meets With Veterans Secretary Eric Shinseki Earlier this year I was appointed to serve on the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. I hope to use this important assignment to improve services to Alaska's 75,000 veterans, particularly those who live in Alaska communities that are not served by VA facilities. On May 22 I met with Veterans Administration (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki to discuss my VA priorities. The first thing I asked of the Secr… Continue Reading
05.22.09
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 05-22-09
Murkowski Reflections on Memorial Day Above, Senator Murkowski spoke with and thanked some of the Veterans attending The Gathering in Palmer in April. The Gathering is an event to recognize Veterans from the State of Alaska hosted by Veterans Aviation Outreach in concert with the Anchorage VA. On Memorial Day, we recognize the men and women of our military who have served our country. I call on all Alaskans to thank those who have served and remember those who made the ultimate sacrific… Continue Reading
05.06.09
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 05-06-09
Murkowski Introduces Southeast Initiatives Sen. Murkowski introduces the U.S. Ferry Investment Act, part of her Southeast Initiative legislation. With Senator Murkowski are (left) David Moseley, Director of Washington State Ferries, Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA-2) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). Over the past few weeks, I have introduced four bills aimed at growing the economy in Southeast Alaska. As we all know, the Southeast region has been hard hit the downturn in the timber industry… Continue Reading
04.24.09
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 04-24-09
On The Mend Earlier this week, Senator Murkowski participated in a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee, on which she is the ranking member. Over the Easter recess, I returned to Alaska and underwent surgery for the knee injury I sustained in March while skiing at Mt. Alyeska. The surgery went well thanks to the many fine Alaskan medical professionals who attended to me. I am now back on my feet, with crutches, and am undergoing daily physical therapy.… Continue Reading
03.27.09
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 03-27-09
Murkowski Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Senator Murkowski delivers remarks at a recent NOAA event commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. This past Tuesday commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Prince William Sound. It was on March 24, 1989, that Alaskans awoke to the news that an oil tanker had run aground on Bligh Reef spilling nearly 11 million gallons of oil into the Sound. In the 20 years that have f… Continue Reading
03.13.09
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 03-13-09
2009 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and the Alaska Army National Guard Senator Murkowski with Maverick, one of the four-legged athletes competing in the 2009 Iditarod. I was thrilled to be in Anchorage this past weekend at the ceremonial start of the 37th Annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. I always look forward to coming home for Alaska's Last Great Race and meeting the spectators and competitors. While at the Iditarod's ceremonial start, Senator Murkowski also visited with back to … Continue Reading
02.27.09
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 02-27-09
Presidents Day Recess in Alaska Senator Murkowski delivers her annual address to the Alaska State Legislature. Over the Presidents Day recess I delivered my annual speech to the Alaska Legislature. This is the seventh annual address I have delivered to the Legislature and it is a highlight of my year to return to the Alaska House chamber where my career as a legislator began. By now, you've probably heard about my proposal which I introduced today to develop the energy reserves benea… Continue Reading
02.09.09
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 02-09-09
Sen. Murkowski appointed to the Senate Republican Leadership Team Senator Murkowski meets with Senator McConnell earlier this month as part of his leadership team. I was honored to be appointed to the Senate Republican leadership team earlier this month. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell named me as a counsel, which means that I will offer my input, advice and guidance to the leadership team. This leadership position, combined with my recent appointment to the Senate Appropriations Com… Continue Reading
01.30.09
Senator Murkowski - eNewsletter 01-30-09
Inauguration week with so many Alaskans was great! Senators Murkowski and Begich with dancers from Barrow who performed in the Inaugural Parade. Last week was a historic week in Washington. The inauguration of President Barack Obama drew more Alaskans to D.C. than I have ever seen here before. The historic election of President Obama brought people from all over the country and the excitement and sense of purpose here was contagious. It has been great to see so many old friends and … Continue Reading
01.09.09
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 01/09/2009
Sen. Murkowski welcomes Mark Begich to the United States Senate Sen. Murkowski looks on as Mark Begich is sworn in as Alaska's new Senator. This was a busy week in the nation's capital with the opening of the 111th Congress and the swearing-in of Alaska's new United States Senator, Mark Begich, who becomes only the seventh senator to represent the state. In keeping with Senate tradition, I had the privilege of escorting Mark down the center aisle of the Senate chamber for his swearing… Continue Reading
12.18.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 12/18/2008
Sen. Murkowski visits with wounded Alaskan soldiers at Walter Reed This week I had the honor of visiting with five wounded soldiers attached to units of the 1/25 Stryker Brigade from Fort Wainwright. Surrounded by family members, all five are recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington from wounds suffered during their service in Iraq. No matter how severe their pain or how challenging their recovery ahead, you could not meet a more inspiring group of men. Federal priva… Continue Reading
12.02.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 12/02/2008
Capitol Visitors Center opens this week Sen. Murkowski with the acting Architect of the Capitol, Stephen Ayers, inside the Capitol Visitors Center, standing before a statue of Ernest Gruening, one of the first two senators from Alaska. The long-awaited Capitol Visitor Center, the newest addition to the United States Capitol, opened to the public this week, following six years of construction. Three million visitors are expected to come through the Visitor Center each year, so when … Continue Reading
11.24.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 11/24/2008
U.S. Senate bids farewell to Ted Stevens I joined Sen. Stevens on the Senate floor last week as he delivered the final speech of his Senate career which was answered by a standing ovation from his fellow Senators. Following Sen. Stevens's remarks, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Majority Leader Harry Reid, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sens. Dan Inouye and Joe Lieberman, told stories about traveling and working with Ted over the decades, paying tribute to his storied … Continue Reading
11.07.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 11/07/08
Senator Murkowski to hold Senate field hearing in Anchorage on high school graduation rates As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I will chair a field hearing in Anchorage next Saturday, (Nov. 15) to explore what the federal government can do to help improve high school graduation rates and postsecondary success in Alaska and nationwide. Alaska has one of the worst high school graduation rates in the nation. Compounding this problem, too many studen… Continue Reading
10.03.08
Sen. Murkowski Special Edition eNewsletter 10/03/08
Congress passes economic recovery plan During the six years I have had the privilege of representing Alaskans in the United States Senate, I have had to cast many tough votes, but few as complex or far-reaching as the vote on an economic rescue plan. Over the past week, hundreds of Alaskans contacted my offices, and many of those callers, emailers and letter writers encouraged me to vote against a bailout for Wall Street that rewards the mismanagement of our financial institutions. After… Continue Reading
09.26.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 09/26/2008
Murkowski Comments on Financial Stabilization Efforts As I write this enewsletter, Congress and the Bush administration are in negotiations over a financial stabilization plan aimed at restoring confidence in our nation's economy. In recent days, I have heard from many Alaskans, and share their concern, regarding the Treasury's proposal to stabilize financial markets by allowing banks and other financial institutions to ask the federal government to purchase distressed mortgages and mort… Continue Reading
09.19.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 09/19/2008
Interest in the Arctic Gaining Prominence Interest in the Arctic has been increasing lately, both among lawmakers and policy experts on the subject. Last month I hosted the eighth Arctic Conference of Parliamentarians in Fairbanks, which brought At the Council on Foreign Relations Conference. together lawmakers from all eight Arctic nations. This week, I addressed two major public policy groups on the issue - the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, and the Center for Strategic and… Continue Reading
09.12.08
Sen. Murkowski eNewsletter 09/11/2008
Senate field hearing in Bethel As Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, I held a field hearing in Bethel August 28 on an issue of critical importance to Alaska Natives and rural villages throughout the state - the effect of high energy costs on the lives of people in rural Alaska. Photo: Rob Stapleton/AJOC These rising prices have reached unprecedented levels in our Native villages and across rural Alaska, and a real concern of mine is that if we don't find a way to p… Continue Reading
08.01.08
Senator Murkowski
Energy: Find More, Use Less Fox & Friends Appearance In recent days, I have continued to speak out about the need for Congress to pass legislation that takes a balanced approach to dealing with the high cost of fuel. The Senate has been considering a narrowly focused bill that targets only market speculators. That's one facet of the problem, but we need to move on all fronts - more domestic energy production, including drilling in ANWR, along with more conservation and an increa… Continue Reading
