Contributor
Mark Begich
Biography provided by participant
Senator Mark Begich is in his third year representing Alaska in the U.S. Senate, where his primary focus is building a strong Alaska economy. Already in his short time in the Senate, Senator Begich has risen to key positions for Alaska. He was recently named chairman of the Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard, which has broad jurisdiction over important Alaska issues. He works on behalf of Alaska's servicemen and women on the Armed Services Committee and also is a member of the Veterans, Homeland Security and Budget committees. As chairman of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, Senator Begich holds the Number Five position in the leadership for the Senate majority, which he uses to advocate on Alaska issues. Senator Begich was elected to the Senate in 2008 after serving as mayor of Anchorage for nearly six years. Born and raised in Anchorage, Senator Begich's other priorities include reducing the national deficit, tax reform, and building a national energy policy that emphasizes Alaska's oil and gas resources, an Alaska natural gas pipeline and the state's many renewable resources. A lifetime member of the NRA, Senator Begich is a strong advocate for the 2nd Amendment and the rights of Alaskans and all Americans to keep and bear arms. A businessman since age 14, Senator Begich is bringing his business acumen to the work in the Senate. His extensive experience in public office, along with service to dozens of non-profits and community groups, all add to his know-how and ability to get things done. In 1988, at age 26, Mark was the youngest person ever elected to the Anchorage Assembly where he served for nearly 10 years. During that time, his colleagues three times elected him chairman, Anchorage's second highest political office, and he also served as chair of the budget committee. During his time as mayor, Anchorage went through the biggest building boom in a generation, attracting millions of dollars worth of public and private investment. Through Begich's leadership, Anchorage voters supported the building of the new Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center, a $100 million expansion of the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, and a multitude of other projects that strengthened the city's economy. In October 2008, both the Wall Street Journal and Business Week recognized Anchorage as a city well positioned to weather the international economic crisis and the city's bond ratings were upgraded due to improved fiscal stability. Mark's parents, Pegge and the late Nick Begich, came to the territory of Alaska in 1957 as teachers. Following a career as a teacher and superintendent of military schools on Ft. Richardson, Nick was elected Alaska's third U.S. Congressman. While running for reelection, in 1972, Begich's airplane disappeared in the Gulf of Alaska when Mark was 10 years old. From his parents, Mark learned the values of hard work, strength of family, and commitment to community which are the values he has applied to a successful business career and long record of public service. Senator Begich is married to Deborah Bonito, a successful businesswoman. They have a young son, Jacob. The Begich family enjoys spending time together reading, traveling, and enjoying the many great things Alaska has to offer.
Recent Responses
October 17, 2011 06:23 AM
Is the U.S. Prepared for a Changing Arctic?
Editors note: This week, Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, is providing the question.
The summer of 2011 marked the second-lowest ice coverage on record for the Arctic Ocean. As permafrost thaws and sea ice retreats, storm waves are eroding shorelines of Alaska coastal villages. A changing climate is also shifting fishing grounds and wildlife migration routes. Rural Alaskans, largely dependent on subsistence hunting and fishing and resource development, are hard-pressed to meet the financial challenges of repairing or adding new roads, ports, harbors, and other community infrastructure.
With these challenges also comes opportunity. The reduced ice pack is opening new polar shipping routes which could cut distances between Europe and Asi
Continue ReadingOctober 19, 2011 03:58 PM
U.S. Needs To Be More Prepared In Arctic
First, thanks to all who took the time to read or post as part of this discussion. Now, I’ll take my privilege as guest moderator to answer my own question. The U.S. is inadequately prepared to address the changes facing our substantial Arctic territory. Too few policy makers think of the U.S. as an Arctic nation. When they do, they are often blinded by the price tag of doing business.
Some of the responses to my question so far also show one of the problems facing the Arctic; it’s rarely viewed as a place itself, a place where people live. Too often people use it only as lens to focus on other issues such as climate change or oil and gas development. Regardless of whether we adopt a balanced energy plan in our country and begin to combat climate change worldwide – for the record I hope we do both - change is already happening in the Arctic and more is on the way. We should take several steps to better prepare ourselves for these challenges.
The Law of the Sea Treaty, signed in 1982 but never ratified, would give the U.S. a seat at the tab
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