eNews from Sen. Lisa Murkowski
eNews from Sen. Lisa Murkowski
June 23 , 2006
Murkowski Urges ExxonMobil to settle with Exxon Valdez Plaintiffs I joined Washington Senator Patty Murray to lead a bipartisan effort to convince ExxonMobil Corporation to finally provide compensation to more than 32,000 individuals nationwide who were damaged after the Exxon Valdez oil tanker spilled nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska's
Prince William Sound more than 17 years ago.
Together, we gathered the signatures of nearly a quarter of the U.S. Senate onto a letter to new ExxonMobil Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson asking that the corporation either restart settlement talks or simply pay the $4.5 billion in damages awarded by a federal jury 12 years ago.
While most of Alaska's fisheries have recovered from the spill, the herring fishery in Prince William Sound remains closed, hurting the livelihoods of many fishermen. Though the courts this summer will decide whether Exxon should pay more to fund additional cleanup and restoration efforts in Alaska waters, it is only just that fishermen and other citizens harmed by the spill finally get the compensation they were awarded by the federal courts a dozen years ago.
Murkowski to Attend 26th National Veterans Wheelchair Games
I am looking forward to attending the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world in Anchorage, from July 3 to 8. Open to veterans with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities that require use of a wheelchair, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games promote rehabilitation, wellness and camaraderie through intense athletic competition.
Volunteer efforts are under way to host the most successful Games in history. The local organizing committee is currently seeking community volunteers and sponsors to open their doors and their hearts to the more than 600 expected athletes - heroes - whose spirit, determination and athleticism will inspire the entire community. Learn how you can help.
Announcing a Resource to Learn More about the Dangers of Meth
I recently became aware of a website run by The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, methresources.gov. The website is a tool for policymakers, law enforcement officials, treatment and prevention professionals, businesses and retailers, and anti-drug activists. The comprehensive site brings together information and resources about methamphetamine, and its
related listserv, DiscussMeth, allows visitors to share information and best practices with one another, as well as pose questions to their peers. I encourage you to visit the site so you can learn more about this dangerous drug threat and what you can do to fight it.
Visiting D.C.
Summer is a great time to visit your Nation's Capital. Washington, D.C. is rich in history, culture and excitement. I encourage you to visit and take part in one of the many activities the city has to offer. Attractions are easily accessible by foot, metro and bus. See my website for a list of the most popular attractions to help you start planning your trip.
Department of Veterans Affairs to provide Free Credit Monitoring
As you may be aware, on May 3rd, the names, Social Security numbers and birth dates of every living veteran from 1975 to the presentmore than 26.5 million U.S. veterans in allwere stolen by thieves who took a laptop computer containing the data from the home of a Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) employee. All 26.5 million veterans whose data were stolen may now be at
risk of identity theft.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson recently announced that VA will provide one year of free credit monitoring to people whose sensitive personal information may have been stolen. VA will solicit bids from qualified companies to provide a comprehensive credit monitoring solution. VA will ask these companies to provide expedited proposals and to be prepared to implement them rapidly once they are under contract.
After VA hires a credit monitoring company, the Department will send detailed letters to people whose sensitive personal information may have been included in the stolen data. This letter will explain credit monitoring and how eligible people can enroll or "opt-in" for the services. The Department expects to have the services in place and the letters mailed by mid-August.
People who believe they may be affected by the data theft can go to www.firstgov.gov for more information. VA also continues to operate a call center that people can contact to get information about this incident and learn more about consumer-identity protections. That toll free number is 1- 800-FED INFO (1-800-333-4636). The call center is operating from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm (EDT), Monday-Saturday as long as it is needed.
Safe and Drug-Free Schools Convenes First Advisory Committee Meeting
Montean Jackson, of Fairbanks, represented Alaskans at the first meeting of the newly formed Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Advisory Committee. Mental health and wellness experts, education leaders, law and drug-enforcement officials, a criminal judge and juvenile justice advocates from around the country came together June 12-13, in Washington, D.C. The committee, appointed by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, is charged with evaluating the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities, State Grants program, Persistently Dangerous Schools and the Unsafe School Choice Option.
http://murkowski.senate.gov/newsletters/062306%20Newsletter.pdf