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December 3, 2012

Begich Sends Holiday Greetings,
DC Updates to Alaskans


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Stories with the Senator – Sen. Begich read to kids with NEA-Alaska at the Anchorage Police Department at Police Navidad.
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I just returned to Washington, D.C., after a busy weekend in Anchorage, and am headed into an even busier week in the Capitol. Over the weekend I held an Alaska Native Town Hall meeting to hear from Alaska Natives and Native Americans in Anchorage about issues important to them. And to welcome back the 4-25 from a long deployment in Afghanistan, I sponsored a Welcome Home Concert for the Troops featuring the Ken Peltier Band and Mr. Whitekeys.

Alaska’s military personnel and their families are an important part of our communities, and so is the military itself. Alaska’s strategic location on the globe makes it an important place for the military, and we as a state benefit enormously from the spending and economic impact that comes with Alaska’s military infrastructure. Within the next day or two, the Senate is poised to vote on the National Defense Authorization Act, a bill that contains more than a billion dollars in investment for Alaska. I have several provisions in the bill to protect and fund our strategic bases including funding for upgrading Clear Air Force Station’s radar program, the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program at Fort Greely and a new range at Fort Wainwright and at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson.

Also hanging in the balance in Congress is the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012, a bill that would promote Alaska interests like hunting, fishing and conservation. If passed, the bill will improve access to hunting and fishing on federal lands and authorize several other vital conservation programs for wetlands, fish and wildlife.

Included in the overall package is my bill to improve the Duck Stamp program, one of the most successful conservation tools in history, which has seen 98 cents of every Duck Stamp dollar going directly to preserving and protecting wetlands. My amendment would allow for an adjustment in the price of Duck Stamps every three years to account for inflation and keep the program viable. Unfortunately, the Sportsmen’s package has fallen victim to the unfortunate partisan gridlock that plagues Washington but I am hopeful a compromise will come together to pass the bill.

As the Senate continues work on these important bills for Alaska, I will continue to represent Alaska in a bipartisan fashion, taking a balanced approach to our nation’s fiscal needs, defense policy and other issues impacting Alaskans.


Sincerely,
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Senator Mark Begich
 

 

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Begich Hosts Alaska Native Town Hall

Sen. Begich held a Town Hall meeting this past Saturday with members of Anchorage’s Alaska Native and Native American community, discussing current issues and taking questions from the crowd. “As we continue to strengthen and grow Alaska’s economy, it is crucial that Alaska Native tribes, villages, nonprofits and corporations are a part of this effort. We cannot have a strong urban Alaska unless rural Alaska is thriving, too,” Begich said. November marked Alaska Native Heritage Month.

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Operation Gratitude - Sen. Begich and Gen. Garrett enjoy a performance by the Ken Peltier Band.

Native Voices - Alaska Native Town Hall Meeting - Sen. Begich held an Alaska Native Town Hall in Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012.

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Concert for the Troops

To welcome home the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Sen. Mark Begich hosted a free concert for the Spartans returning from a 10-month deployment in Afghanistan. The concert featured performances by the Ken Peltier Band and Mr. Whitekeys. Sen. Begich emceed the event. “Nothing says welcome home like a party to thank our troops and their families for their service and sacrifice for our country. Alaska is so proud of the Spartans and we’re glad to have them back.”

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Holidays in true Alaskan style – Sen. Mark Begich’s Washington, D.C., staff joined Congressman Don Young and his staff at his annual holiday party and, in true Alaska fashion, wore traditional Alaska Native kuspuks.

Another round of impressive Alaskans – Sen. Mark Begich met with his Washington, D.C., interns, all of whom are from Alaska, to discuss the importance of public service.

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Eielson Spared in Defense Act Provision

Sen. Begich introduced several amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act to shore up the future of the F-16s at Eielson. Mirroring language secured by Congressman Don Young in the House version of the NDAA, Sen. Begich introduced an amendment that would prevent future proposals like the one that would have moved the F-16s from Eielson to JBER without a thorough analysis of the proposed move’s impacts. The amendment helps ensure Congress won’t be asked to vote on “backdoor” Base Realignment and Closures (BRACs) in the future. “We’re not out of the woods completely, but with each passing day, there are more and more reasons to leave the F-16s at Eielson permanently.”

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This week's website features
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Begich Minute: American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes

Constituent Coffee

In this week's Begich Minute, Sen. Mark Begich takes time to sign holiday cards for members of the armed services and their families at an event coordinated by the Red Cross in the U.S. Capitol. Sen. Begich is joined by the American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern.

If you are visiting the nation's capital, Senator Mark Begich would love to have the opportunity to meet you. Our office hosts Alaska Constituent Coffee events most Thursday mornings while the Senate is in session from 8:30am to 9:30am. The first Constituent Coffee of the year will be held January 22, 2013. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Senator Begich's Washington D.C. Office at 202-224-3004.

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