Newsletter - Begich Showcases Alaska

Statement

Spending August at home has been refreshing and productive. Whether I'm in a restaurant or getting home repair supplies at the hardware store, I've come across many friends and had great conversations with Alaskans every day.

Over the last few weeks I've taken federal officials to Fairbanks, Homer, Dillingham and New Stuyahok to show them how decisions made in Washington, D.C., impact the lives of Alaskans.

I hosted the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Dr. Jane Lubchenco, in Anchorage, Homer and Fairbanks. Together we opened a new satellite facility in Fairbanks, which will help keep Alaskans safe by predicting weather patterns. In Anchorage and Homer we met with commercial fishermen and charter boat owners and operators to discuss the future of Alaska's oceans and how to keep our fisheries sustainable for generations.

I also brought FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to Anchorage, Dillingham and New Stuyahok to stress the importance of affordable and accessible broadband in rural Alaska. I toured Kanakanak Hospital's telemedicine programs in Dillingham and even got an ear check in New Stuyahok using their telemedicine cart. High-speed Internet is essential to expanding these programs and bringing health care, education and commerce to Alaska's communities, no matter how far from the road system they are.

When we head back to Washington at the end of this month, our focus will be on reducing the nation's debt and deficit and keeping our economy recovering and creating jobs for Americans. In the meantime, I hope you get a chance to visit the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. Maybe Jacob and I will see you on the Zipper.

Sincerely,

Senator Mark Begich

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