Murkowski Morning Meeting for Tuesday, July 17, 2012

U.S. Senate Events

“Keep Thinking Ahead” on Cybersecurity

Alaskan Impact: 84% of Alaska’s population is active online and in our increasingly wired society, cyber attacks threaten consumers, businesses, and even our military. Today Senator Murkowski reiterated her support for the SECURE IT Act to protect and secure the US against cyber attacks – focusing on electric utilities which are the only critical infrastructure sector that already have mandatory and enforceable cyber security standards in place. She stressed how we need to “keep thinking ahead, every single day.”

6:00am AKDT
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing
Topic: “Cyber Security and the Grid”
Testimony from:

• Joseph McClelland, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Gregory Wilshusen, Government Accountability Office
• Gerry Cauley, President & CEO of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation

Watch the entire hearing online: http://bit.ly/NnSqsH

(Click to watch brief excerpt)

House of Representatives Events

Preventing an Invasion of Ticks in Alaska

Alaskan Impact: Lyme disease is the 6^th most common reportable disease, and until recently, Alaska has been insulated from ticks that most frequently carry it. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game report this month about the growing number of invasive species of ticks found on moose, dogs and even people. Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee examined how to prevent further spreading of this disease.

A “ghost moose” calf – heavily infested with moose ticks and suffering from substantial har loss. Courtesy: AKDF&G

10:00am AKDT
House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing
Topic: “Global Challenges in Diagnosing and Managing Lyme Disease”
Testimony from:

• Stephen Barthold, University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s
• Raphael Stricker, Vice President of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society

Watch the entire hearing online: http://1.usa.gov/O3s1AP

Off the Hill Events

Improving Search and Rescue Operations in Alaska

Alaskan Impact: Alaska’s vast wilderness appeals to locals and tourists, but the sometimes terrain can lead to some getting lost. Searches for missing people can go on for weeks, with searchers combing areas by foot and air. A recent AK Trooper Report shows they rely heavily on volunteers for these searches, and today the National Transportation Safety Board took a look at ways to improve the process.

5:00am AKDT
The National Transportation Safety Board Forum
Topic: “Improving General Aviation Search and Rescue Operations”
Participants:

• NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman

Watch the entire hearing online: http://bit.ly/fzFiOW