Press Releases
Media Requests: Members of the media can contact the press office by emailing Joseph_Plesha@murkowski.senate.gov or by calling 206-302-8317 and asking for the press office.
Murkowski Raises Concerns Over Obama Administration’s Warning That It May Not Support Renewal of Secure Rural Schools Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Obama administration has warned that it may not support reauthorization of a program that helps fund schools, road maintenance and public facilities in Alaska communities that border national forest lands. The warning came in a recent letter from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to Murkowski. Vilsack was responding to a letter Murkowski sent to President Obama in July asking that the president recommend reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Develo… Continue Reading
10.27.10
VA Investigation Finds Hundreds of Alaska Veterans Traveling to Lower 48 for Health Care Treatment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A VA investigation conducted at the request of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, found that nearly 600 Alaska veterans, during a one-year period, were required to travel to the Lower 48 to receive health care services, even though the treatment may be available privately in Alaska. A Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General's report examined the referral of Alaska veterans for treatment at VA facilities in the Lower 48 from October 2008 through September 2009. The g… Continue Reading
10.21.10
Murkowski Address to Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention
On Thursday, October 21, 2010, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, addressed the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention in Fairbanks. Following are Sen. Murkowski's remarks, as prepared for delivery: "I would like to honor your First Traditional Chief, Don Honea, Sr., of Ruby. This blanket is from the Doyon Foundation and was designed by the late Ron Minook of Nulato. The design is entitled "The Water People." And I join with you in wishing a very happy birthday to the interior's beloved … Continue Reading
10.18.10
Ted Stevens Mountain, Ice Field Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and U.S. Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska) today commended President Obama for signing into law their legislation naming a mountain and ice field after Ted Stevens. "It is a real tribute to all Alaskans that this bipartisan legislation passed quickly through both chambers and is now being signed into law on Alaska Day," Murkowski said. "Ted Stevens played such a vital role in Alaska's history and this ensures that he will be remembered by… Continue Reading
09.17.10
Murkowski: Administration Awards $5 Million for Yukon Salmon Disaster Assistance
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Obama administration today awarded $5 million, secured by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, to help mitigate the Yukon River Chinook salmon fishery failure. The $5 million, which was released to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, was part of a supplemental appropriations bill signed into law July 29. Murkowski was able to secure the funding as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Commission will distribute the money and new nets to commercia… Continue Reading
09.16.10
Murkowski: Mountain, Ice Field Named in Honor of Stevens
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today unveiled legislation honoring the late Sen. Ted Stevens by naming a mountain and part of an ice field after him. "Sen. Ted Stevens was a true Alaskan and a great champion of the state," Murkowski said. "This is a fitting tribute for a man who was both a mentor and a personal friend to me, and to whom all Alaskans owe so much." The proposed Stevens Peak - commonly known as South Hunter Peak - is located in Denali National Park and Pr… Continue Reading
09.16.10
Murkowski Testifies on Proposed Reduction in Mail Delivery
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today testified before the Postal Regulatory Commission on the proposed plan by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to eliminate Saturday mail services. The USPS has proposed eliminating Saturday mail delivery as part of an effort to balance its budget. In reviewing the USPS proposal, the Postal Regulatory Commission held a series of public hearings across the lower 48 this summer to receive customer feedback about this proposed change. In advan… Continue Reading
09.10.10
Murkowski Joins Governor in Calling for Immediate End to De Facto Moratorium
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today said she fully supports Gov. Sean Parnell's efforts to overturn the federal moratorium blocking development of Alaska's offshore resources. "The Obama administration has repeatedly ignored not only the wishes of Alaska in wanting to develop its offshore resources, but also the law," Murkowski said. "It's time for such federal overreach to end and allow responsible development of our resources to move forward." The Department of Inte… Continue Reading
09.10.10
Murkowski Welcomes Support for Hydro Energy Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, welcomed a decision by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to provide aid for two marine hydrokinetic energy projects in Alaska, part of an effort to increase funding for ocean renewable energy developments nationwide. DOE awarded Whitestone Power and Communications Co. of Delta Junction $142,000 to test an energy conversion device to permit "waterwheels" to survive in areas of high debris, sediment loads and extreme weather, including heav… Continue Reading
09.10.10
Murkowski Says Too Much Risk in Modified Fish; Encourages Public Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not to approve genetically modified Atlantic salmon for human consumption. If approved, it would be the first genetically altered animal ever approved for human consumption by the FDA. The FDA will hold hearings later this month on whether to approve the modified Atlantic salmon, which has both the genes of a Chinook salmon and an antifreeze gene from an eel pout. The antifreeze gene allow… Continue Reading
09.10.10
Murkowski Praises Placement of Volcano Monitoring Equipment in Dillingham
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today praised the decision to place an acoustical array in Dillingham for use in the monitoring of volcanoes. The array placed in Dillingham will be part of a joint program of the U.S. Geographical Survey (USGS), the United States Geologic Service, the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys. "I am pleased to see more attention going to monitoring … Continue Reading
08.26.10
Murkowski Comments at Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Field Hearing on Offshore Development
Thank you Director Bromwich and thank you all for inviting me to provide this formal statement on the future of offshore energy development. While I am encouraged that representatives of the Interior Department are here to listen to Alaskans, I have reason to remain deeply concerned that not enough is being done, or will be done, to put our nation back on a path to economic and energy security. In 2009, I provided comment when Secretary Salazar held a hearing on the OCS 5-year plan here in Anc… Continue Reading
08.21.10
Murkowski Questions Apparent Decision by Obama Administration Not to Prosecute Bill Allen on Child Sexual Abuse Charges
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today wrote to Attorney General Eric Holder questioning why the federal government apparently has decided not to prosecute imprisoned former Veco CEO Bill Allen on child sexual abuse charges. Justice Department officials have declined to comment on news reports quoting Anchorage police officials saying that federal authorities decided not to charge Allen in the investigation. Murkowski's letter to Holder is attached. # # #… Continue Reading
08.17.10
Murkowski Address to World Trade Center Alaska
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today addressed the World Trade Center Alaska about defending Alaska's resource economy from government overreach. Sen. Murkowski's remarks, as prepared for delivery, are attached. # # #… Continue Reading
08.13.10
Senate Passes Murkowski’s Airborne Day Resolution
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate has passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, designating Monday, August 16, 2010, as National Airborne Day. The resolution, S. Res. 599, passed the Senate on July 28, 2010, and was cosponsored by 26 senators, including U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska. National Airborne Day commemorates the successful first jump of the Army Parachute Test Platoon on August 16, 1940, which helped contribute… Continue Reading
08.12.10
Senate Approves Resolution Honoring Ted Stevens
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate today approved by unanimous consent a resolution crafted by Sen. Lisa Murkowski that honors the life and accomplishments of Sen. Ted Stevens, who was killed Monday in a plane crash near Dillingham. Murkowski received assistance in drafting the resolution from multiple generations of former Stevens staff members. The resolution, co-sponsored by Sen. Mark Begich and the other 98 senators, recognizes Stevens's "significant role" in the transformation of … Continue Reading
08.11.10
Murkowski Announces Relocation of Fairbanks Field Office
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that her Fairbanks field office has moved to a new location within the U.S. Federal Building. Contact information for the new office location follows: U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski101 12th Ave, Suite 329Fairbanks, AK 99701-6278(907) 456-0233 - Main Line(907) 451-7146 - Fax Line # # #… Continue Reading
08.11.10
Senate Convenes Thursday to Honor the Late Ted Stevens
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced that the United States Senate will convene tomorrow for a brief session to pass two legislative items, including a resolution honoring the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska. Stevens died Monday in a plane crash near Dillingham. "It is a fitting tribute that the Senate will convene to recognize the life and accomplishments of Sen. Stevens, an Alaska legend and patriot who served our state and nation with the highest disti… Continue Reading
08.11.10
Murkowski Bill to Benefit National Law Enforcement Museum Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has announced that the legislation she introduced to extend the deadline by three years for construction of the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., has been signed into law by the President. Passed by Congress in 2000, the National Law Enforcement Museum Act granted land for construction of a new National Law Enforcement Museum. The legislation required the museum to be financed with private contributions and that constructi… Continue Reading
08.10.10
Sen. Murkowski’s Statement on Plane Crash That Claimed the Life of Sen. Ted Stevens
ANCHORAGE, AK - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following statement after learning of the tragic death of Sen. Ted Stevens and others in a plane crash near Dillingham: "Last night, Alaska lost a hero and I lost a dear friend. The thought of losing Ted Stevens, a man who was known to business and community leaders, Native chiefs and everyday Alaskans as 'Uncle Ted,' is too difficult to fathom. His entire life was dedicated to public service-from his days as a pilot in World Wa… Continue Reading
