As a lifelong supporter of the Iditarod and someone deeply rooted in Alaska’s mushing community, I was honored to contribute to a small portion of Senator Lisa Murkowski’s remarks delivered before the U.S. Senate on the morning of March [insert date], 2025. These remarks recognized the incredible achievement of Jessie Holmes, who claimed victory in this year’s historic and challenging race, and celebrated the enduring spirit of the Iditarod. It was a privilege to help put into words the values this race represents—perseverance, respect for the land, and the powerful bond between mushers and their dogs.
The Remarks I Prepared for Senator Murkowski
The Iditarod is a long distance dog sled race run yearly in Alaska that tests the strength and endurance of men, women and their sled dogs in a race across our formidable state.
It honors the history of mushers and sled dogs who forged paths through some of the most rugged terrain on Earth and reminds us that in Alaska, the land does not yield to those who are unprepared—it rewards those who respect it, who understand its power, and who find strength in its challenges.
The Iditarod is Alaska in its purest form: wild, unpredictable, awe-inspiring, and demanding every ounce of grit and determination a person can summon. It is not for the faint of heart, and that is exactly why it remains one of the most revered and enduring traditions in our humble state.
This year, 33 mushers, both men and women, and 527 dogs set out on the trail. Adversity was in no short order. Normally a 1000 mile long event, low snow forced the Iditarod to change routes at the last minute. Mushers and their teams suddenly found themselves on a route nearly 1200 miles long. As teams traveled they battled snowdrifts, soft trail, open water, blizzards, and even a sandstorm.
Alaska has always been a state of those who dared to traverse the unknown, to carve a life out of the wilderness, to forge ahead against impossible obstacles. The Iditarod stands as a living tribute to that pioneering spirit, a reminder that hardship is not to be feared but faced with courage.
Today, as we recognize this great race and the men, women, and dogs who make it possible, let us also recognize the values it upholds: perseverance in the face of adversity, partnership that transcends words, and the unbreakable will to keep going—no matter the storm.
That is not just the spirit of Alaska. That is the spirit of America.
You can watch Senator Murkowski’s full remarks and see the portion I contributed to starting at 34:13 in the video linked here. I’m incredibly grateful to have played a small part in honoring this race and all it stands for.
