Daniel Akaka: “I thank Chairman Murkowski, who has done a great job in shepherding and crafting this bill and bringing it to the floor…”

“I thank Chairman Murkowski, who has done a great job in shepherding and crafting this bill and bringing it to the floor of the Senate. This has been a tough few years because there have been some objections along the way. I think we are doing it correctly. We are taking care of the concern of embarrassment for the United States that would be faced when we pass this bill. This is a bipartisan bill. The chairman has diligently worked, as have staff on both sides of the aisle, well to bring us to this point. I am glad I had a chance to be a part of it and know this is the right thing for our country; that is, for us to pass S. 1052 with its amendments.”