eNews from Sen. Lisa Murkowski

eNews from Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Murkowski Visits Alaska Peninsula and Eastern Aleutian Communities

Over the Memorial Day Congressional recess I had the opportunity to visit King Cove, Unalaska, and Sand
Point. This was my first trip to the region and gave me an opportunity to learn more about the needs and
issues in the area.

In each community, I met with local officials and toured schools and other public facilities. I had the
opportunity to attend town meetings to hear directly from the residents about the needs and issues
important to them. Additionally I was able to learn more about the rich culture and history of the region. In
King Cove, I was presented with a ceremonial Aleut hunting hat. In Unalaska, I saw artistic and historical
artifacts at the museum, toured the Russian Orthodox Church and learned how the icons were saved during
World War II. It was a very productive and enjoyable trip, and I hope to get back to see more of the region
soon.

UAF Recognized for Information Assurance Education

Congratulations to the University of Alaska Fairbanks for being recognized by the National Security Agency
as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE).

UAF joins only 66 other universities throughout the nation in earning this prestigious honor. The CAEIAE
designation recognizes the University's pioneering research, teaching and national expertise in protecting
digital infrastructure. To receive this designation, academic institutions are measured against a rigorous set
of criteria which are updated annually to reflect national priorities and advancements in technology. The
CAEIAE designation is valid for a three-year period, after which recertification is required to ensure that
institutions and programs continue to improve and expand in the quickly evolving cyber-security field.
By receiving the CAEIAE designation, UAF is now eligible to apply for specialized funding, including full
scholarships for students, capacity-building grants and research funds from federal agencies including the
National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the National Security Agency and the
Department of Homeland Security. Based on these new resources, UAF intends to provide Information
Assurance and Computer Security resources beyond the University, including state and local government,
businesses and the public.

Anchorage Students Receive National Acclaim

Congratulations to Rogers Park Elementary School students Sean Doyle, Johna Rutz, Bryan Wright, Leif
Monnett and their teacher John Baldwin. The team was awarded first place in the Toshiba ExploraVision
Science Competition for developing the "Face Brace," which relieves pain and promotes healing of severe
facial burns. More information about their project can be found on their website.

The competition is designed to help students combine their imagination with their knowledge in science and
technology. The teams select a technology, research how it works, and then project that technology into the
future. The must also identify what breakthroughs are required for their vision to become a reality. Our
nation will need young Americans with expertise in the fields of match, science and technology. These kids
are certainly off to a great start.

Murkowski Introduces Tax Legislation to Assist Exxon Valdez Plaintiffs

On June 6, I introduced tax legislation to give the plaintiffs in the Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement the ability
to increase retirement contributions and to provide tax relief through income averaging. The bill covers all of
the plaintiffs, 80% of whom are commercial fisherman, and is drafted to cover any possible settlement while
the case is in litigation and any amounts received under the judgment if it is upheld. It is imperative that we
address this issue soon as we anticipate a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals later this year.

Alaskan Honored for her work with FASD

I was honored to present to Alaskan Cheri Scott the NOFAS Excellence Award for her outstanding service
in the fight against fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). For 20 years, Cheri Scott has been an
advocate and authority on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in Alaska, working with families impacted by
FASD. Cheri is a founding member and FASD program manager of the Stone Soup Group, an advocacy
group in Anchorage that supports families who care for children with disabilities or special health needs. For
more information visit their website.

Alaska Native Women Needed for Breast Cancer Study

American Indian and Alaska Native women are needed to join a landmark study to discover the causes of
breast cancer. The Sister Study will enroll 50,000 women whose sisters had breast cancer.

June Designated National Internet Safety Month

The United States Senate passed a resolution I sponsored which designates June 2006 as National Interne
Safety Month. The bipartisan resolution is designed to bring greater attention to the need for comprehensive
Internet safety education. It is imperative that all Americans learn about the Internet safety strategies which
will keep their children safe from victimization. Now is the time for America to focus its attention on
supporting Internet safety, especially bearing in mind that children will soon be on summer vacation and will
subsequently spend more time online.

First Group of Summer Interns Arrive in D.C.

Each summer I provide internships to graduating high school seniors. Interns will assist me and my staff in
legislative and constituent duties. Individuals must be able writers and have good communications skills.
Interns will assist in the day-to-day clerical and administrative tasks within the office such as directing mail,
speaking with constituents, running errands, and assisting staff with research projects. The students gain
insight into the workings of a Senate office and the legislative process.

Sophie Wiepking-Brown, 13, of Anchorage created a recycling and environmental awareness program
that earned her synagogue official recognition for meeting stringent environmental standards. When Sophie
began thinking about a community service project for her Bat Mitzvah, "I was naturally drawn to positive
work on the environment," she said. "If the earth is ruined, if our air and water are polluted, and if global
warming produces destruction, life as we know it would be impossible. I want to do my bit to help future
generations be able to live on the earth."

Sophie set out not only to reduce waste at her synagogue, but also to earn a Green Star Award for meeting
environmental standards established by a nonprofit Alaskan organization called Green Star, Inc. She
examined trash cans to analyze what was being thrown away, learned about lighting and energy costs, and
organized adults to help in the effort. Then she set up a recycling program, and produced posters and
articles to educate her congregation's 250 families about the importance of sound environmental practices.
When the Green Star Award was presented to the synagogue last August, Sophie became the youngest
coordinator of a project to be recognized in this way.

http://murkowski.senate.gov/newsletters/060906.pdf