Alaska's Begich named to commerce, military panels
Originally published Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:29 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 2:03 p.m.
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Stumble It!WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Mark Begich said Tuesday he has secured positions on two Senate committees important to Alaska - Commerce and Armed Services.
Begich, who was sworn in Tuesday as Alaska's newest senator, said he was pleased with both assignments, which he said should help him influence national policy on a wide range of issues. The Commerce post was particularly noteworthy, since the man Begich replaced, longtime Republican Sen. Ted Stevens, is the panel's former chairman and senior Republican.
The committee, formally known as Commerce, Science and Transportation, touches on a huge range of issues, including communications, highways, aviation, transportation security, fisheries, the Coast Guard, tourism, climate change and economic development.
Armed Services has jurisdiction over military issues including weapons systems, military operations, research and pay, promotion and retirement benefits for members of the military.
"With the wide range of issues facing Alaskans, I'm pleased to work with Senate leaders to position myself in the best places to focus on Alaska's priorities," said Begich, who met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other top Democrats in recent weeks.
Begich, who stepped down Saturday as Anchorage mayor, said he was looking forward to beginning work in the Senate to help turn around the national economy and create jobs for Alaska residents and people around the country.
Begich was escorted into the Senate chamber Tuesday by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and took the oath of office from Vice President Dick Cheney.
But the biggest news by the Begich family this week came from his son, Jacob, who shouted out to President-elect Barack Obama at a chance meeting at the Capitol.
In full view of a national TV audience on Monday, the president-elect walked over to 6-year-old Jacob and asked him, "What's going on, man?"
Mark Begich says that Jacob kept repeating, "I met the president! I met Obama!"
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What's funny is that if Ted Stevens(a CONVICTED criminal) was re-elected, the republicans would still try to seat him. However, Roland Burris was appointed in relation to a corrupt and unconvicted governer and no one would seat him. Who's smarter? Democrats or Republicans?
Congratulations, Senator Begich. Do us proud.
I bet Begich does nothing for AK. I really hope I'm wrong.....
Hope our EX-mayor does not repeat his tax and spend agenda in his new job. Anchorage will be paying for his "legacy" for a LONG TIME in higher property taxes. Who do you thinks is going to pay for the Begich "heated streets and sidewalks downtown ???? One guess: Anchorage Taxpayers
Ted,Who?
Congratulations Senator Begich on being selected to serve on the Commerce and Armed Services Senate Committees. Now let's get the economic stimulus package out of Congress and working for the American People before Valentine's Day 2009, if not sooner.
jim1946: "Who do you thinks is going to pay for the Begich "heated streets and sidewalks downtown ???? One guess: Anchorage Taxpayers"
I don't take any position on whether heated streets and sidewalks are necessary in Anchorage.
But I wonder, jim1946: Who *should* pay for civic amenities that all residents are free to enjoy, if not local taxpayers? The idea, implicit in your question, that it's unjust to ask local residents ever to pay sales and/or property tax in support of local services and amenities -- is repellant and not worthy of a citizen.
Please tell us that that's not what you meant.
Congratulations Senator Begich!
What a great Senate we have now, Begich whose claim to fame is his father died in a plane crash, Al Franken whose best comedy is yet to come on the Senate floor, Burris who bought his way in through the Illinois governor, and maybe Caroline Kennedy to add to the mix. Yippee!!
Whoopie, I'm just tickled pink to see the Democrats in there. For those of you not stoned remember only 5 more days of freedom to stock up on GUNS AND AMMO, at just outrageous prices; But, at least we can still get them. Venezuela is showing us a sigN of the future too. How many friendly Russian Bombers they got down there now???
What a bunch of whiny babies... Sheesh. I already posted this in another thread but it seems just as appropriate here:
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/3103/...
stan---
I heard that Reid refused to allow Burris entry. Evidently, Reid intends to keep the US Senate an all white club, even if he has to break the law to do it. Burris was legally appointed by the Illinois governor. He is fully qualified to be a US Senator. There is no basis not to seat him. Well, that is unless you know, there's either a little racism involved, or Reid believes that it is his right and duty to select the new Senator from Illinois. Either way it sucks.
glacierles, actually Burris' appointment must be signed off by the Illinois Secretary of State and they refuse to do so. So they are technically correct when they say his credentials are not in order to become a senator.
That is absolutely correct, aktreefrog.
Props to glacierles, though, for an AWESOME concern troll!
aktreefrog---
At the time, George Wallace was technically correct under Alabama law. Bull Connors and Lester Maddox had technical law on their side, also.
Having been alive then, I don't recall the "technical" aspect carrying the day. Nor should it have.
But if you and O_p want to stay with that position, then you are welcome to join a long and infamous list.
Back_To_-----------
Do you know any good websites that you could recommend? It doesn't matter if you've already directed us there a couple of hundred times. Let's see them one more time. Just in case.
www.infofarts.com ?
So Big_Itch is in D.C. now; Does that mean Snowzilla is safe?
Back_to... If you look really close, he's actually swearing in on the Koran! :)
If he wasn't happy about the traffic around Snowzilla, what's he going to do after a few weeks in D.C.?
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