Murkowski: Storis Designation Should Be Its “Ticket Home to Alaska”
Senator Lauds Park Service’s Historic Designation of Alaskan Treasure
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Lisa Murkowski today commended the National Park Service’s decision to designate the United States Coast Guard Cutter Storis on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, supporting her October push to raise the ship’s prominence. The Senator also believes today’s announcement should send a clear signal that the vessel that contributed so much to Alaska’s development – including delivering supplies during the construction of the Trans-Alaska pipeline – should return to its Alaskan home as an educational tool and destination.
“The Storis was known as the ‘Galloping Ghost of the Alaskan Coast’ and is a symbol of our state’s rich and unique maritime history, our economic and energy potential, as well as Alaska’s close relationship with the United States Coast Guard,” said Murkowski. “I have always considered it a priority to return it to the 49th state for its final destination. I believe this designation should serve as the Storis’ return ticket home to Alaska for a final mission of education and commemoration – and will continue to work to get it there.”
(USCGC Storis in action with a helicopter aboard, June 1961 – for more info on the ship click here.)
Senator Murkowski most recently made the Storis a priority in the United States Coast Guard Authorization bill in October, singling it out in her letter to the related Senate Committee leaders to be conveyed to Juneau’s Storis Museum. She also co-sponsored legislation with the Alaska Delegation to preserve the Storis for a future home in Juneau.
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