Lisa Murkowski: “I know a lot of people who come to Alaska and visit ``Valdeez'' think it is pronounced ``Valdez.'' But I did want to…”

“I know a lot of people who come to Alaska and visit ``Valdeez'' think it is pronounced ``Valdez.'' But I did want to highlight the fact we have tried to respond to the request for the land conveyances. They are 76,000 acres transferred over to the two counties that would benefit the communities. That is in this bill. I offer it simply as an effort in good faith to be sensitive to concerns I think are very legitimate. That is to transfer the land from Federal agencies that do not have a need for that land to the communities so they can put them on the tax rolls and have it functionally contribute to the economy of the area and benefit the people. I think that is appropriate as well.”