October 29, 2004
Friday

It is very important that we keep the Alaska Congressional Delegation together and elect Lisa Murkowski to the U.S. Senate. She is the candidate that Rural Alaskans and Alaska Natives need to send back to the U.S. Senate. Her time spent in Washington D.C. has proven her effectiveness and her hard work ethic. She gets the job done. It does not matter to her where you are from, how much money you have, or what your social status is, she works for all of us. She stands up for what she believes.

To name just a few accomplishments that directly will impact you as an Alaskan Native/Rural Alaskan, Lisa Murkowski:

• Secured $9.5 Million for land surveys that will expedite land conveyances for Native Corporations and Native Allotment owners.
• Secured $35 Million over seven years in the Senate Energy bill to help the Power Cost Equalization program.
• Secured $180 Million over six years for rural road improvements.
• Secured $10 Million for rural teacher housing.
• Secured $84.1 Million for Rural Health Care.
• Secured increased funding for West Coast Ferry Boat Infrastructure from $38M to $150M.
• Before Congress adjourned, she secured the passage of gas line incentive legislation that is the first step in finally being able to build a new gas line in Alaska. This will mean thousands of jobs for Alaskans and for Americans across the United States.

She has also strengthened Alaska's Congressional Delegation by bringing a new sense of energy and youth to D.C. Lisa is an important part of an effective team that we have come to rely upon for our toughest battles.

Lisa knows Alaska - she was born and raised here in Southeast, Anchorage and Fairbanks. Lisa has seen the changes and challenges in Alaska and she has worked hard to find the best answers for our communities. She knows what needs to be done and she stays focused until she succeeds.

Lisa has been very involved in improving job training, energy costs, health care, housing, social services and education. She often travels to rural communities, meets with local leaders and rural residents, and listens to our needs. Senator Murkowski is one of those rare individuals who balance the needs of competing groups, always looking for a way to resolve differences for the betterment of all Alaska. This year she was instrumental in increasing the funding for construction and operations of ferryboats on the west coast to $120 million per year over the next 6 years, of which Alaska will be a big beneficiary. In addition, she secured a separate $10 million per year for ferry operations in Alaska and Hawaii. Her funding could help maintain Alaska Marine Highway service to the villages of Southeast Alaska. In particular the Villages of Kake, Angoon, Hoonah, Gustavus, Tenekee and Pelican.

Having a U.S. Senator who is a strong, energetic, and outspoken person in Washington, D.C. actively supporting rural communities is vital to our future.

We, as Alaska Natives, have been very lucky to have the strong, visionary leadership of Senator Stevens and Congressman Young for many years. Lisa is cut from the same cloth as these two great Alaskan statesmen, and she is a strong and dedicated advocate to our needs, concerns and our priorities. As Alaska Natives we must keep a strong team player like Senator Lisa Murkowski and elect her to the U.S. Senate for a full six years. I ask all of my friends across Alaska to support Lisa Murkowski for the U.S. Senate.

Bob Loescher
Juneau, AK - USA

Note: Robert W. Loescher is the Former President and CEO of Sealaska Corporation; a member of Tlingit & Haida Tribes and the Alaska Native Brotherhood.

 

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