One barrier to Alaska’s statehood was that we did not have a large population to contribute much to the United States. What we did have was an abundance of diverse resources. From timber and gold, to zinc and oil, Alaska had a lot to offer. Since achieving statehood, however, it seems that all we have focused on is oil. Flying over the Spruce Bark Beetle Kill trees in South Central Alaska made me realize how a resource not harvested, such as the spruce trees, is not only a waste of money but can be a danger to Alaska. We need responsible and safe development of ALL our resources. As a representative I will work to find avenues to safely and responsibly develop our local resources to help Alaska become the State it was meant to be.