Home Mission 2007 Team Information Research Topics Sources Progress Journal	ALASKAN REPRESENTATION Summary:  This research summarizes Alaska's representatives in Congress.  The two senators in particular have leadership roles in the Republican party which could prove useful in swaying party members toward the opening of ANWR for drilling. Purpose:  To fully discuss the political ramifications of a decision to drill or not it is necessary to evaluate the politics on each level.  The Alaskan Senators and Congressman are only one level of many necessary for a complete discussion. Relevance:  The leadership that Stevens and Murkowski have in the Senate is important to the influence of the Republican party over fellow Republicans and over Democrats to sway a vote toward drilling in ANWR.  This power is direct and hard to measure because there is no given that because of their leadership that they will be able to sway the voters.  It is hard to even conclude this confidently.  Essentially all that is known is that Alaskan Senators have the potential to influence votes, but their influence will never be known except to the Senators who were swayed by Murkowski and Stevens' voices and positions. Alaska has one representative in the House, Congressman Don Young.  Young is a republican who serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Resources Committee, and House Select Committee on Homeland Security. Ted Stevens, a republican, has been one of Alaska's Senators for 34 years.  He is the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.  He is a member of numerous other committees and subcommittees.  His motto as a senator is, "Do What's Best for Alaska." On the other end of the spectrum is Senator Lisa Murkowski.  An unfamiliar face, but not an unfamiliar face to the Senate -- her father, Frank Murkowski, serving as an Alaskan Senator until becoming Governor in the last election.  Lisa Murkowski is a Deputy Republican Whip, assuming this leadership role during her first term demonstrates the connections her father left her within the party.  She is a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Environmental and Public Works Committee.  She is a member of various subcommittees as well.  Her platform as a Senator is to create and maintain opportunities for her constituents.  She has many economic motivations, especially the maintenance of a stable economy in Alaska.  She is for the building of the Trans-Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline, for drilling in ANWR, and for other oil exploration. Sources: "About Lisa"  Lisa Murkowski - U.S. Senator, Alaska.  Online.  16 Oct. 03.  http://murkowski.senate.gov/ "Biography"  Senator Ted Stevens.  Online.  16 Oct. 03.  http://www.stevens.senate.gov/ "Don Young"  Don Young - My Biography.  Online.  16 Oct. 03.  http://www.house.gov/donyoung/about_don.htm
Last updated: 9 Nov. 03 23:55 Page Layout: Mariela Perignon Kat Vater - kvater@mit.edu Team 9 - m2007-9@mit.edu