sfilkouski


 * __Name__**: Sam Filkouski
 * __State__**: Alaska
 * __Party__**: Republican

[] * website
 * __Congress person who I most agree with__**: Congress member Mike Chenault from Alaska is the Congress person I most agree with. I agree with Mike on many points for example I agree with him to help protect the enviorment. Right now he is working on a bill that is trying to save natural resources. Another bill he is working on is trying to deal with the oil and gas issue. He is trying to lower prices and make gas prices lower I think everyone would agree with him there. Earlier in 2001-2003 Chenault worked with military veterans to help make there lives better after they return from war. I agree with him here because we need to support our troops even when there back in the U.S.

2. Alaska is the largest state in the Untied States 3. 5% of the states is covered by glacier 4. Alaska was once owned by Russia in 1867 it was bought for 7.2 million dollars 5. It was believed to be at one point connected to Russia (It was the gateway for Native Americans)
 * __5 Interesting facts about Alaska__**: 1. State is home to the highest point in the Untied States which is Mt. McKinley, stands 20,320 ft. tall.

2. Alaskan House of Representatives are also trying to prohibit using cell phones while driving. I agree with this bill because texting or calling while driving can cause many accidents because you are distracted from the road. There are many deaths in the United States because of texting and driving. 3. Alaskan House of Representatives is trying to use hydroelectric energy to conserve energy is the state. I agree with using this because it would save a lot of coal, electricity, and other forms of energy. Also all it is is using water to turn turbines so we could use the water and conserve it.
 * __3 Issues in Alaska Important to You__**: 1. Alaskan House of Representatives are trying to urge the United States Congress to pass a bill putting regulations on water usage and wastewater treatment by the Untied States Environmental Protection Agency. This is important to me because we shouldn't be wasting water. The Earth is only 10% fresh water we shouldn't be wasting that.

2. Alaska sees an increase in the number of motor vehicle accidents involving the use of cellular phones by drivers. Between 2002 and 2008 there were 399 traffic accidents involving cell phones in Alaska. The largest group, about 36 percent, involved drivers between 16 and 20 years old, although they make up only about 7.4% of Alaskan drivers. Also motor vehicle crashes are the number 2 cause of injuries requiring hospitalization among 15 to 24 year olds in Alaska most of those re related to cell phones. 3. In the Untied States (including Alaska) nearly 25% of all car accidents are caused by the involvement of cell phones. 4. The southeast part of Alaska get about 200 inches of rain each year which is plenty enough to run hydro electrical power through that part. This can save Alaska a lot of energy. 5. The water cycle that is used during hydro electrical energy is renewable and will never end. Its just like the water cycle.
 * __5 Facts About Alaska That Relate to the Issues__**: 1. Alaska is a peninsula that is covered by 3 seas (Pacific, Bering, Arctic) which is all salt water. Also most of the rivers are formed at the mouth of the land to the ocean so they are salt water. And most of the freshwater Alaska does have is turned into glaciers. These facts show that there isn't a lot of freshwater going around Alaska so we should try to conserve as much as we can.

to keep tobacco out of high schools. Another reason is to stop teenagers from developing bad habits. Third reason is tobacco can damage the human brain while it is developing. The human brain stops developing around the age of 25.
 * Explanation of Bill**:The purpose of our bill is to raise the legal age to use tobacco products to 21 in stead of 18. One reason is


 * Why You Should Support the Bill:** This bill would keep tobacco out of high-schools. Many seniors are 18 and right now they can legally use tobacco. Those seniors are distributing tobacco to under class men. Changing the age of smoking would stop that from happening. Also 3/4 current smokers started at the age of 18 or younger. If we changed the law we could stop teenagers from establishing a bad habit. Another reason is the brain isn't fully developed until the age of 25. If we change the age the brain will have more time to develop and it can make better decisions.

Alaska Legislature. "House of Representative" Alaska State Legislature, 2011 May, 2011. http://house.legis.state.ak.us/

Davis, Neil. "Alaska's Freshwater Coastal Jet" June, 5 1981 April, 2011 http://www2.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF4/460.html

Gardner, Berta "Ban Cell Phones While Driving" Representative Berta Gardner May, 2011 http://www.akdemocrats.org/index.php?bill=HB128

Biggs, Sharon "A Child's Brain" Examiner September, 2009 May, 2011 []

"Tobacco Use During High School and Middle School" CDC, August 2010, April 2011 []

Williamson, Elizabeth "Brain Immaturity Could Explain Teen Crash Rate" The Washington Post, Feb. 2005 May, 2011 []

"Tobacco Negatively Affects Brian Development" Bioscholar, March 2011 April, 2011 []

London, Edythe. " Tobacco Smoking Affects Teens' Brain" UC Health March, 2011 May, 2011 []

Roizen, Micheal "Smoking Ages" ShareCare. May, 2011 []