December 20, 2002

(Anchorage) Gov. Frank H. Murkowski today appointed Alaska State Rep. Lisa Murkowski, to fill the remaining two years of his U.S. Senate term, marking the first time in Alaska history a woman will hold statewide federal office, and the first time in U.S. history a father and daughter will each have served in the Senate.

The new senator was sworn in by federal Judge Andrew Kleinfeld of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a brief ceremony a few hours after the announcement.

"I firmly believe that this person should come from the next generation of Alaskans and be prepared to spend multiple terms in the United States Senate, to build up seniority which Alaskans depend on to influence policy in our nation's Capitol," Gov. Murkowski said in announcing the appointment. He left the Senate after 22 years on Dec. 2, after winning a statewide gubernatorial election.

Gov. Murkowski noted that he has been consistent in his desire to select a replacement who shares his values and political philosophy, could win re-election to the seat in 2004, is young enough to serve long-term and build seniority, and is a strong proponent for the issues important to Alaskans. He said his daughter was well qualified on all counts, having distinguished herself during the four years she has served in Alaska's House of Representatives.

"She has established her own credentials as a legislator and, as the incoming Majority Leader in the House, others have demonstrated their confidence in her abilities," Gov. Murkowski said.

Lisa Murkowski, 45, is a life-long Alaskan who was born and raised in Southeast Alaska and who has lived in Anchorage for the past 25 years. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and Willamette College of
Law. She was first elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 1998, and has served as chairman of the House Labor and Commerce Committee, and the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committees, and was slated to rise to House Majority Leader in the upcoming 23rd Alaska State Legislature.

"This is an awesome responsibility for me, and I know it was a very difficult decision to make because there were some truly fine people considered for selection," Sen. Lisa Murkowski said of her father's
selection. "I am deeply honored by the faith and trust that has been placed in me to carry forward Alaska's agenda in Washington, D.C. And I will do so with the same energy, openness and enthusiasm that I
maintained throughout my years in the Legislature. We need ANWR opened now. We need a natural gas pipeline from Alaska to the Lower 48. And economic development does not happen without funding for transportation projects."

Sen. Murkowski said she was looking forward to working with U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens and U.S. Rep. Don Young in addressing the opportunities and challenges facing Alaska in the Congress and confirmed her plans to run for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2004.

"Today we need leaders who are committed to Alaska's promise and Alaska's future," she said. "I intend to be part of that new generation of Alaskan leadership who understand what makes our state special and
are committed to serving our state in the best way possible."

Under Alaska law, Gov. Murkowski will appoint a district resident to fill the vacancy created in the Alaska Legislature by Lisa Murkowski's appointment to the U.S. Senate. By tradition, residents of the district
suggest three nominees from the district.