 | | JUNE 19, 2008 | | |
| | 
 At Senator Stevens' invitation, Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Dr. James Peake spent the Memorial Day weekend honoring the commitment of America's soldiers and listening to veterans across Alaska. On a trip that covered Fairbanks, Anchorage, Bethel, and the coastal village of Quinhagak, Senator Stevens hoped to provide the President's Cabinet member with added insight into the unique challenges faced by Alaska's veterans.
The weekend's events began with remarks at the 19th Annual Disabled American Veterans Convention in Fairbanks. The Senator and Secretary then toured Bassett Army Community Hospital and met with staff who are on the front line of treating many returning veterans for a range of injuries and conditions. In Anchorage, visits to a VA homeless domiciliary and a BBQ with veterans and active duty soldiers gave the Secretary a chance to discuss important issues. The Senator and Secretary then flew 400 miles west to Bethel, where there is no VA presence and many residents receive their health care through the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC). There, the Senator and Secretary discussed with YKHC officials the potential for partnerships between the VA and the Alaska Native health care system. The group also explored ways to extend telemedicine services to veterans in remote areas.  From Bethel, the Senator and Secretary traveled to the village of Quinhagak, whose residents welcomed the travelers with great warmth. Quinhagak, a community of about 700, is home to veterans whose service dates back to the Alaska Territorial Guard in World War II, as well as seven members of the Alaska National Guard who recently returned from Kuwait and Iraq. Senator Stevens and Secretary Peake chatted with the guardsmen about their service and access to VA benefits.
The Secretary's visit to Alaska highlighted the progress that has been made to assist veterans in the state but also the significant gaps in service that remain. Senator Stevens hopes to build on the trip by working with the Secretary to explore policy options for better serving Alaska's veterans.  View more photos from the trip.
|
| Recent Visits to Alaska
| |  Senator Stevens has been keeping a full schedule. In the month of June, he will travel home all but one weekend. Needless to say, that means we have a lot of pictures.
Click here to see photos from Senator Stevens' visits to Alaska so far. |
| Senator Stevens Co-Hosts DTV Workshops in Fairbanks and Juneau with ABA and KTOO
| |  To help Alaskans get all of the details they will need for the February 17, 2009, transition to digital television, Senator Stevens is hosting workshops in Juneau and Fairbanks. Alaskans will be able to ask questions, voice concerns, and apply for digital converter boxes at these events.
Friday, June 20, 2008 - Fairbanks Workshop: Co-hosted by the Alaska Broadcasters Association (ABA) at the Fairbanks North Star Borough Library at 1215 Cowles St. Representatives from the ABA and federal agencies will be available from 11:00 AM until 12 noon. Saturday, June 21, 2008 - Juneau Workshop: Co-hosted by the ABA and KTOO at the KTOO TV Station Building at 360 Egan Dr. Representatives from the ABA, federal agencies, and Senator Stevens will be on hand from 11:00 AM until 12 noon.  Visit www.dtv2009.gov for more information and applications for converter box discounts.
|
| Senator Stevens Sponsors Legislation to Restrict Oil Speculation
| |  In the wake of growing concerns regarding the impact of speculation on oil prices, Senators Stevens and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced legislation requiring the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to impose the same rules on institutional investors that other investors must follow. This legislation would essentially level the playing field in energy futures markets.
"Unsustainable fuel prices are crippling the economy and runaway speculation has a hand in bringing the cost of a barrel of oil towards $150. This bill will provide needed regulation of oil futures trading which Senator Feinstein and I feel has artificially driven up the prices," said Senator Stevens. "This bipartisan approach, teamed with domestic energy innovation, is urgently needed to face America's energy crisis."  Read the full press release.
|
| Senators Stevens and Inouye Host U.S.-Japan Interparliamentary Group
| |  Senator Stevens and Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), joined by many members of Congress and Vice President Dick Cheney, welcomed representatives from the National Diet of Japan to the U.S. Capitol for two days of meetings and receptions. The U.S.-Japan Interparliamentary Group is modeled after the U.S. China group, which Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye also co-chair, and aims to deepen understanding and cooperation between the U.S. and partner nations.
Japan and Alaska have long enjoyed a close relationship. Japan has been one of Alaska's most important export partner since before statehood and today 26% of Alaska's exports are sent to Japan. This totals $1 billion in trade for our state. Read the full press release. |
| Also in the News
| | | |  |  | |  | | Recent Visits to Alaska | | | Senator Stevens Co-Hosts DTV Workshops in Fairbanks and Juneau with ABA and KTOO | | | Senator Stevens Sponsors Legislation to Restrict Oil Speculation | | | Senators Stevens and Inouye Host U.S.-Japan Interparliamentary Group | | | Also in the News |
 Anchorage
Federal Building, Room 569
222 West 7th Avenue #2
Anchorage, AK 99513
(907) 271-5915 Bethel
Delegation Office
311 Willow St, Bldg 3
Bethel, AK 99559
(907) 543-1638 Fairbanks
Federal Building
101 12th Avenue, Rm 206
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 456-0261 Girdwood
Delegation Office
118 Lindblad Ave
Girdwood, AK 99587
(907) 783-3301 Juneau
Delegation Office
Box 21247, Federal Building, Rm. 971
Juneau, AK 99802
(907) 586-7400 Kenai
Delegation Office
110 Trading Bay Rd., Ste. 105
Kenai, AK 99611
(907) 283-5808 Ketchikan
Delegation Office
540 Water St., Ste. 101
Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-6880 Mat-Su Valley
Delegation Office
851 East Westpoint Dr. #307
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 376-7665 Washington
522 Hart Senate Office
Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3004 | |
