eNews from Sen. Lisa Murkowski
eNews from Sen. Lisa Murkowski - Vol. 2, Issue 12
July 28, 2006
Murkowski Urges USDA to Require Schools to Purchase Domestic Fish Products Earlier this week I sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to object to the inclusion of foreign-harvested fish in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
Much of the seafood served in schools through the NSLP is a "twice-frozen" product that is harvested in Russian waters by Russian vessels. The fish is frozen on board and then shipped to China for processing where it is thawed, filleted and frozen again. Finally the frozen fillets are shipped to the United States to be breaded and made into fish sticks. While a final processing stage occurs in the United States, I believe there is minimal justification to consider it a product of the
U.S.A.
I am concerned that the seafood we are serving students is of an inferior quality. In addition, by including it in the National School Lunch Program, the Department of Agriculture is subsidizing Russian fisherman and Chinese processors at the expense of Alaskan fisherman.
Murkowski Reaffirms Six-Party Talks as "Best Hope" for Achieving Nuclear-Free Korean Peninsula
Last week I had the opportunity to hear testimony on North Korea from Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Based on his comments, and on answers to several of my questions, I have reaffirmed my belief that the six-party talks represent our best hope for achieving a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. Furthermore, despite recent events, I continue to be hopeful that North Korea will move forward with the agreement we reached last September. I shared with Assistant Secretary hill my appreciation of the patience and perseverance that he has exercised in continuing to foster relations in the region and I hope that his diplomacy will help reignite meaningful dialogue among all parties.
Staff to Visit the Bering Straits Region
Kevin Sweeney, from my Washington D.C. office, and Bob Walsh, from my Anchorage office, will be visiting the Bering Straits region from August 7th through the 16th. The purpose of the trip is to learn more about the issues important to the region and to give residents the opportunity to share their concerns and ideas on how to strengthen the local communities. For details you can contact Bob Walsh in my Anchorage office, toll-free, at 1-877-829-6030.
New Resources Added to Website
I have added two new resources to my website to help constituents find information on federal grants and financial aid programs. The webpages are prepared and updated by the Congressional Resource Service. Additionally my staff is available to help you or your organization: identify grants, navigate the grant application process, supply letters of support, or
appeal denied grant applications.
BLM Accepting Nominations for Best Management Practice Awards
The BLM is currently accepting nominations for the 2007 Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Development Best Management Practices (BMPs) Awards. The awards recognize oil, gas, and geothermal operators or rights-of-way grantees and their partners who are demonstrating leadership and creativity in reducing the environmental impacts of oil, gas, and geothermal development.
Senate Passes Child Protection and Safety Legislation
Yesterday, President Bush signed legislation that I co-sponsored to strengthen penalties for crimes against children. The legislation, entitled The Adam Walsh Child Protection And Safety Act of 2006, will establish a National Sex Offender Registry, toughen penalties for crimes against children and combat internet predators, child pornography and child exploitation.
I believe that this is a huge step forward in strengthening penalties against criminals who seek to harm and exploit innocent children. I am hopeful that by instituting better tracking procedures of offenders, while dedicating additional federal resources for educational outreach to families and for new federal prosecutors to handle crimes against minors, that we can make our communities a safer place for our children.
Murkowski Appoints New Fishing Aide
Arne Fuglvog will be joining my Washington, D.C. staff in September as an aide on fishing issues.
Arne is a lifelong Alaskan with ties to the fishing community through his role as a commercial fisherman for the past 30 years. Additionally, Arne has worked with the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council since 1994 - first as a member of the advisory panel and most recently as a full member of the council. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Puget Sound.
Arne has a reputation throughout Alaska's fishing industry as a quick study, a consensus builder and a hard worker who has the interests of Alaska fishermen and coastal communities at heart. He has experience as a fisherman in many different fisheries throughout the state, and as a member of the North Pacific Council who really understands the complexities of regulating both the fishery resource and the people who rely on it. He will be a tremendous asset not only to my office, but to
the whole Alaska fishing community.
Arne will succeed Bill Woolf who has served as my primary fishing aide since I joined the United States Senate. Bill is retiring at the end of the year after a long career in public service. I have been fortunate to have his sage counsel and I wish him well in his retirement.
http://murkowski.senate.gov/newsletters/072806.pdf