Recognizing the Contributions of Alec Brindle

RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALEC BRINDLE

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I would like to take a few minutes to offer a tribute to a very significant figure in one of my State's largest industries: seafood processing. This man is Alec Brindle, who was for many years with Wards Cove Packing Company, and who has now entered retirement. In addition to having played an important role in the development of Alaska's salmon industry, Alec has also been a friend of mine, and of my family, for many years. It seems to me that anyone with the stamina and perseverance to work in the fish business for 50 years deserves some recognition.

Although Alec was born in the Seattle area, his life has long been tied to Alaska's fisheries. Almost his entire extended family has been involved in Alaskan fisheries since well before Alaskan statehood. As a young boy he spent summers in Ketchikan, at first playing around the cannery, and then, at age 13, he began his career as an employee of the family salmon packing operation. This was the beginning of a career, and a commitment, that would last for 50 years. Alec is one of those people about whom you can say, "He has truly seen it all". At various points in his long career fish prices for red salmon have varied from pennies a pound to a point in the late 1980's when a single fish was worth more than a barrel of North Slope crude oil. As Alec himself has pointed out, the fish business is one where at the beginning of the season the processor doesn't know how much fish he will be able to buy, what price he will pay, or at what price he will be able to sell the finished product. Needless to say, trying to craft and maintain a business plan under such circumstances is not an easy task. But Alec, to his great credit, was able to maintain his grace and charm in the face of all these challenges. He was a true gentleman in a very tough business.

Alec did take enough time off from the family business to obtain a law degree. He spent a year clerking for well known Alaska Supreme Court Justice John Dimond. Since Alaska had only recently been granted statehood, these were exciting times for our young State as we sorted through the growing pains of creating a judicial system. As a young attorney Alec contributed to this process.

Most people outside of Alaska aren't aware that the fishing industry has traditionally been my State's largest private employer. Each year, thousands of fishermen and other workers come to Alaska to help in the harvesting and processing of the amazing variety of fishery resources of my State. Although most of Alec's career was spent in the salmon business, he and his family have also been involved in the crab, herring and groundfish sectors. Many fishermen and processing workers have spent their entire careers enjoying an association with Alec and other members of the Brindle family.

But Alec didn't just make a living from Alaska's fisheries; he also gave back a great deal. He was always active in the various industry trade associations which work to maintain the sustainability and profitability of our fisheries. Among these were the Pacific Seafood Processors Association, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, the National Fisheries Institute, and the National Food Processors Association. Alec's other business activities resulted in his being named to the Board of Advisors for Wells Fargo Alaska and becoming Chairman of the Board of the Tongass Trading Company.

Achieving educational goals has always been very important to the Brindles and in addition to his law degree, Alec proudly holds an Honorary Doctorate degree from the University of Alaska Southeast. And the Brindle family has also provided generous financial assistance to many young Alaskans seeking higher education through their support of the Winn Brindle Scholarship program, named for Alec's father.

After knowing Alec for so many years, it is hard for me to believe that he will no longer be actively involved in the seafood industry on a day-to-day basis. However, I know him well enough to say that he isn't about to head for a rocking chair. He will undoubtedly continue to share his time and expertise with those in the seafood industry, and throughout Alaska. He will be missed, but his many contributions and achievements will live on for many years.