United Fishermen selects Murkowski as 2007 Person of the Year

January 11, 2008 at 9:54AM AKST

The United Fishermen of Alaska Board of Directors has selected Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, as "Person of the Year in Alaska Politics for 2007."

The statewide fisherman's umbrella association, composed of representatives from 37 fisheries trade organizations, cited Murkowski's exemplary work on behalf of Exxon Valdez oil spill plaintiffs as one of the most significant efforts on behalf of Alaska fishermen in 2007.

"Sen. Murkowski introduced the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Tax Relief Act and was able to get this measure attached to the Senate version of the Farm Bill of 2007 through dedicated work," UFA President Joe Childers said in a statement.

With plaintiffs from every state, Murkowski was able to draw bipartisan support for the measure, which calls for one-time contribution of up to $100,000 of settlement to retirement accounts and allows three-year income averaging.

"We also feel that in moving this legislation, Murkowski has highlighted the matter of the Exxon Valdez tragedy to the highest levels of government as the issue goes before the Supreme Court," Childers said.

"It doesn't begin to make up for what these families have gone through, but it helps." stated Mark Vinsel, UFA's executive director.

This is the second year that UFA has recognized the contributions to the seafood industry made by Murkowski. Her work in 2005 improved seafood labeling and resulted in the public's ability to better discern whether it was purchasing wild or farmed seafood products.