Blog Post #1: Lisa Murkowski and Alaska - an Introduction

Born: May 22nd, 1957 (in Ketchikan, Alaska)

Education: Georgetown University (BA in Economics)

Willamette University (JD)

Spouse: Verne Martell

Other Family: Two Sons (Nicolas and Matt)

Political Affiliation: Republican Party

Religion: Roman Catholic

(http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/15841/lisa-murkowski#.VNquPO6BbsY)

(http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography)

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       Lisa Murkoski is a U.S Senator from Alaska who is currently serving as the state's senior Senator. She is only the 32nd woman to hold a position in the Senate since it's founding in 1789, the first Alaskan-born Senator, and the 6th Senator to ever serve the state. Since obtaining her Juris Doctor degree, Murkowski worked as an attorney from 1989 through 1998 specializing in commercial practice law. Her first elected position came in 1998, when she was elected to the House of Representatives from Alaska's at-large district. In 2002, she took over the Senate seat of her father, Frank Murkowski, after he was elected as the governor of Alaska. Perhaps her most notable of reelection campaigns came in 2010, when she lost the Republican primary to Joe Miller of the Tea Party. However, Murkowski then ran as a write-in candidate and won the general election.

(http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/lisa-murkowski-wins-alaska-senate-race-joe-miller/story?id=12164212)

(http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/15841/lisa-murkowski#.VNquPO6BbsY)

Advertisement for Murkowski's 2010 Senatorial campaign

      Murkowski prides herself on her Alaskan heritage and her upbringing in various towns and regions across the state. She is a third-generation Alaskan and recalls having been raised in Wrangell, Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage. She cites exploring Alaskan nature and spending time in the state's outdoors with her family as a frequent hobby of hers. 

(http://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography)

Murkowski with an Alaskan salmon

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Alaska

Population: 736,732

Capital: Juneau

Largest City: Anchorage

Admitted to Union: January 3rd, 1959

Governor: Bill Walker (Independent)

Major Industries: Oil, fishing, tourism

Motto: "North to the Future"

(http://www.ipl.org/div/stateknow/ak1.html)

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      Alaska is the northernmost state of the Union, and the state that is farthest east and west as well. Due to its abnormal location compared to the rest of the country, Alaska is home to many unusual industries and exports that are unfamiliar to the remaining 49 states. Alaska is further home to flora and fauna and nature that is uncommon to the rest of the United States. A notable example of this would be Mount McKinley in Denali, which is the highest mountain peak on the North American continent. 

(http://www.summitpost.org/denali-mount-mckinley/150199)

Mount McKinley stands at 20,320 feet

      Alaska currently has a recent status with the United States, having been the 49th state to enter the Union. Prior to it's statehood, Alaska was a territory of the United States since its purchase from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867. The acquirement of Alaska hinted at the growth of the U.S as a major power is the Asia-Pacific region of the world, although the territory was often neglected by the federal government, and instead governed by military or treasury rule. Since achieving statehood, Alaska has gained a political reputation for its appeal to the Republican party, and has voted for the Republican nominee in every Presidential election it has partaken in, with the exception of 1964.

(https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/alaska-purchase)

(http://www.270towin.com/states/Alaska)

The signing of the Alaska treaty in 1867