Anchorage Daily News

WASHINGTON -- Everyone from the education secretary to the top U.S. archivist, from the Coast Guard commandant to the head of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be heading to Alaska in August, at the behest of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.

It's not for the salmon fishing. Stevens plans to spend his August congressional recess showing them the state and reminding them why he believes Alaska needs federal money.

On Friday, he said he believes there's something of an Alaska backlash in the country now, and he thinks it would do the state good to have more visitors from Washington.

"There's a misunderstanding, and not enough of this Congress now has ever been to Alaska," Stevens said to a group of Washington-based Alaska reporters. "Our job now is to get them up there."

At one point in his Senate career, as many as 50 of the senators he was serving with at the time had visited Alaska; now, that number has dwindled to about a dozen, Stevens said.

It's time to renew interest in the state so that members of Congress see firsthand some of Alaska's unique needs, he said, and so that they understand why earmarked federal money is so key.

Like his House colleague from Alaska, U.S. Rep. Don Young, Stevens is not ashamed of the largess he's been able to bring to the state over the years. He defends earmarks and Alaska-only budget allocations.

Until people have been to Alaska. Stevens said, they just don't appreciate the sheer size of the place or how far-flung it really is. People in rural villages with great needs don't have access to the federal budget request process, he said. Sometimes, he said, the only way to direct money to remote parts of the state for health care and education is through earmarks.

"We don't hide ours; we're not ashamed of them," Stevens said. "Hey, you want to put Ted Stevens' name on every one of these add-ons? Be my guest. Even the bridges."

If there is an Alaska backlash requiring Stevens' attention as chief tour guide for the summer visitors, it might be because people are too familiar with the state's politics and politicians these days.

When asked whether the ongoing federal public corruption investigation might have something to do with how Alaska is perceived these days, Stevens wouldn't say.

Stevens said he wouldn't answer any questions with the word "investigation" in them, which ruled out questions about the federal inquiry into renovations that doubled the size of his Girdwood home in 2000. No charges have been brought, but a federal grand jury has questioned people involved with it.

It also ruled out questions about his House colleague, Young, who has spent more than $262,000 on lawyers this year to advise him, including in connection with campaign contributions from a Wisconsin trucking executive under indictment.

And it ruled out questions about his fellow Republican senator from Alaska, Lisa Murkowski, who was under fire last week from national anti-corruption watchdog groups who question the purchase price of a Kenai River property she and her husband bought from a friend and political supporter.

When asked whether he thought it hurt the state's credibility to have all three members of the Alaska congressional delegation under a cloud of ethical suspicion last week, Stevens said, "give her the piece of paper," and had his press secretary hand out a statement to the three reporters attending his press conference.

"This investigation should proceed to its conclusion without any appearance that I have attempted to influence its outcome," his statement said. "I know Alaskans are interested in my views on the investigation. While I understand this interest and would like to discuss these issues in great detail, the interests of justice and our state are best served if I make my comments after federal officials complete their work."

The 84-year-old senator was just as reluctant to touch the final question: What will Alaska do without Uncle Ted to bring home all that federal money? Stevens said he had what many would see as an understandable "aversion" to answering that question, but he did so anyway.

"I have a friend who tells me the human body can make it to 120," Stevens said. "The only reason that you might not (get to) 120 is that most human beings abuse their body. I do not. So I fully expect to be around for quite some time."

Find reporter Erika Bolstad online at adn.com/contact/ebolstad or call her at 1-202-383-6104.

Stevens on corruption investigation

Sen. Ted Stevens gave reporters the following written statement Friday in response to continuing questions about the public corruptions investigation in Alaska by the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department:

"Federal agencies have conducted a broad ranging investigation here in Alaska for almost a year. I believe this investigation should proceed to its conclusion without any appearance that I have attempted to influence its outcome. I will continue this policy of not commenting on this investigation until it has concluded.

"I know Alaskans are interested in my views on the investigation. While I understand this interest and would like to discuss these issues in great detail, the interests of justice and our State are best served if I make my comments after federal officials complete their work.

"I urge Alaskans not to form conclusions based upon incomplete and sometimes incorrect reports in the media. The legal process should be allowed to proceed so that all the facts can be established and the truth determined.

"For over 50 years I have worked hard for Alaskans as part of our territorial, state and federal governments. And I continue to do all I can to assure governments meet our people's unique needs." Stevens on corruption investigation

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