Lisa Murkowski

I think we need to work with COE because I think this has led us to a result that whether you are from Alaska and trying to get a small harbor going or Senator Graham from South Carolina that is trying to get Charleston advancing--we have…

We think that in Alaska we have a lot of benefits to the Nation.

Clearly a great deal of interest in this, Madam Chairman, ranking member.

So what do we say, that these 26 States are not significant or important to the national interest?

I compliment the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for not only being the world leader in human space flight for the last five decades...

It sure sounds good, though.

Do you think that it is perhaps blowing things out of proportion or sensationalizing things for the media to focus just on the revenue numbers?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

What I am seeing coming out of the 8(a) Program is a challenge that, yes, in fact we can compete and we can compete well.

But on the other hand, you have to perform and you have clearly performed or they wouldn't be coming back to you.

What I heard from the three of you coming from different tribes, different experiences, was that not only does this program work... but what it has delivered are a series of intangibles that are perhaps difficult for an IG.

There needs to be more support of the program.

The work you and your Colleagues have done over the years have improved the lives of Native Americans.

We appreciate the efforts of our elected representatives, Senators Murkowski and Begich, and Congressman Young.

I guess the question is--certainly I am not familiar with anybody trying to exclude ANCs 100 percent from the program.

Shouldn't we allow these regulations an opportunity to work, to go into effect, to play out?

This is clearly a program that has great success.

Do you think that what you have laid out with the new regulations there, do you think that these adequately address the criticisms that have been expressed by not only the Inspector General, but the media as well?

If reforms are needed to ensure that the Indian 8(a) Program achieves its objectives, let's get them out on the table.

There is no such thing as an Alaska Native Corporation 8(a) Program.

I think we recognize in Alaska just measuring things by dollars oftentimes is not a sufficient or an adequate measurement.

I am just not aware of that as being ever on the table. Our office has never taken a position that ANCs should not participate.

This is an incredible program to advance not only this generation, but multiple generations in employment and self-sufficiency.

In my view, our objective today should be to celebrate the resilience of our Indian businesses.

I want to thank you and Vice Chairman Barrasso for convening this hearing to explore the role of the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Program.