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Murkowski Morning Meeting for Thursday, September 13, 2012
Note to Readers – Senator Murkowski today spoke with NOAA Administrator Lubhenco and found out that the the Department of Commerce granted Alaska a fisheries disaster for the Yukon River, Kuskowkwim River and Upper Cook Inlet for our extremely low king salmon runs this year, saying afterwards:
“Today’s declaration demonstrates that we have clearly made our case to the federal government, and they see the disastrous impacts of low salmon runs on our state.
“Fisheries are critical to our economy, our culture, and our lifestyle – the anemic King runs this season have hurt numerous areas in our state and deserve attention and assistance from the federal government.”
U.S. Senate Events
Rising College Costs
Alaskan Impact: In Alaska, tuition has risen within the University of Alaska system by 7% this year alone. College debt is on the rise, with 6 million young people falling more than a year behind in student loan payment. The UA Board of Regents will decide on another 2% tuition hike for next year later this month. One of the key reasons: simple economic awareness. College students sometimes can’t parse what’s a loan, award, scholarship or grant – and the bottom-line costs of each.
6:30am AKDT
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Hearing
Topic: “Improving College Affordability: A View From the States”
Testimony from:
- Muriel Howard, American Association of State Colleges and Universities
- David Longanecker, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
- John Morgan, Chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents
Watch the entire hearing online: http://1.usa.gov/SdpySM
Sen: Franken: Loans are sometimes called ‘awards’ or other code words – confusing to kids and parents.
House of Representatives Events
F-22 Oxygen System Under Fire
Alaskan Impact: In the winter of 2010, the nation’s eyes were on Alaska when an F-22 Raptor fighter jet crashed near Anchorage. After a year of investigations, it was determined the F-22’s oxygen system stopped working and the pilot inadvertently put the fighter into a steep dive trying to activate the backup oxygen system. The U.S. Air Force revamped the F-22 fleet’s emergency oxygen system earlier this year, but questions continue to linger about the jets safety. Today, the House heard testimony on why Air Force pilots suffer oxygen deprivation and other ailments while flying the F-22s.
6:00am AKDT
House Armed Services Committee Hearing
Topic: “F-22 Pilot Physiological Issues”
Testimony from:
- Retired Air Force Gen. Gregory Martin, USAF Scientific Advisory Board
- Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles Lyon, Headquarters Air Combat Command
- Clinton Cragg, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Engineering and Safety Center
Watch the entire hearing online: http://1.usa.gov/RNaBq0
Off the Hill Events
Soviet Secrets from the Sea
Alaskan Impact: The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union raged for the better part of the 20th century, with Alaska caught in the middle. In 1974, the CIA attempted to recover the Soviet ballistic missile submarine K-129, and the Soviet secrets it held, from the bottom of the North Pacific.
Today, one of the CIA officers who was there discussed the complex cover story under which the CIA disguised the entire recovery program as a commercial ocean mining venture.
5:30am AKDT
The International Spy Museum Discussion
Topic: “Stealing Soviet Secrets from the Bottom of the Sea”
Participants:
- William Bennett, Washington fellow at the Claremont Institute
- Richard George, Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation
- Art Hauptman, higher education consultant
Learn more here: http://bit.ly/SHyrKT