Mark Begich

Together, we have made a lot of progress.

Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Mark Begich have worked to resolve federal, state, and local concerns.

The bill before you today... reflects a significant compromise and accommodation of those interests.

We made a promise... to ensure that the Alaska Native Land Claims Act and Settlement Act and we are far past due in keeping that promise.

I support it and its speedy passage.

We want to continue to work with you to figure out what that right opportunity is even if it is a small demonstration project.

I just want to echo, and we have talked about this also, what Senator Tester said about Indian country, especially in Alaska, how to deliver services in the very rural areas.

I want to follow up, Secretary Gould. You had said that, in response to the Chairman's question, you do some research but you can use only commercially available prosthetics. Was that right?

I know my time is up. I know that is usually the biggest challenge for both the VA but DOD is kind of understanding that.

I know we have introduced legislation about co-pays with regard to telemedicine.

I see a strong business case for that to happen, and we are committed and engaged to rolling out telemedicine and telehealth nationwide.

We have groups that kind of visit Alaska that have their views about how Alaska should be run and maybe have no interest other than to fight this environmental battle.

Our companies want certainty. They want to know here is when the timetable occurs.

We can't even get to the table to figure out, as Senator Hutchison just described, how to map out what we have there.

The years that we have delayed the process is way too long.

I was glad to hear the President talk about on Saturday the need for coordinating work between the many different Federal agencies.

We have a lot of concern to make sure the development is done right.

The moratorium and the delays in shallow water permitting forced Seahawk Drilling to declare bankruptcy.

As you know, in Alaska, 80 percent of our area is non-road access, so I am assuming that is part of the equation.

I will tell you what happened. I was invited to a meeting when I was Mayor and it was about a land use issue.

Let me ask you, and again, I thank you for when you came to my office a couple months ago.

I think the bill that Senator Carper has brought forward is a good step.

I just want to agree with you on the pension issue. I think that is a critical No.

My big concern is how do you deal with areas very remote that may have flights coming in.

First, I want to say thank you for recognizing Alaska is unique, and we had a conversation about universal service.