Political Quotes

“I will proceed under the theory that one picture is worth 1,000 words, although I am not suggesting that you are not going to get 1,000 words, as well. In any event, in order to set the stage for the debate on King Cove, I think it necessary to educate and familiarize the Members of this body as to what this issue is, where it is, and why it is so important to the residents of the small community of King Cove, on the Aleutian Islands, population 700, who have no availability of surface transportation for medical care. As a consequence of the lack of surface transportation for this community, 11 of the residents of that small community have perished in medevac flights out of the area over the last decade. I think I should also identify Senate bill 1092 that is before this body, specifically, the substitute that I have offered, which exchanges surface estate. The substitute that I offer exchanges the surface estate of some of the higher value wetlands privately owned by one of the Native village corporations in King Cove within the refuge in exchange for a simple grant of right-of-way across Federal lands that would allow the residents of King Cove reliable access to the Cold Bay Airport; hence, medical care when emergencies exist. Further, we are not asking for an appropriation. I think it is fair to note that there are no funds requested.”