Frank H. Murkowski, who turned 93 in March, was governor of Alaska from 2002 to 2006; a U.S. senator for the 49th state from 1981 to 2002; named commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development in 1966 at age 33; served in the U.S. Coast Guard 1955-1957; a bank president and also president of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce.

The guy has been around and accomplished a lot.

His connection to Wrangell goes back more than 60 years. He managed the National Bank of Alaska Wrangell branch 1963 to 1966, and served on the school board before he left town for the state appointment in Juneau.

Although that was long ago, he established a bond with Wrangell and after retirement built a summer home in town using Southeast Alaska lumber, which is fitting for someone who spent his public service career promoting the timber industry.

And now it’s time for Wrangell to recognize his commitment.

The assembly at its Oct. 27 meeting will consider a resolution naming the borough development at 6-Mile, the former sawmill property, as the Frank H. Murkowski Deepwater Port of Alaska.

The assembly at its past meeting adopted an ordinance setting out guidelines and procedures for naming borough property after an individual — the Murkowski Port would be the first one.

Naming the development after the former governor, former U.S. senator, Coast Guard veteran and former Wrangell banker is an appropriate way to honor his decades of public service. It’s particularly appropriate on the grounds where a sawmill once operated and where the borough hopes to entice the U.S. Coast Guard to bring its vessels for work, if plans come through for a privately owned shipyard at the site.

The shipyard is a ways off and needs hundreds of millions of dollars in private and government money for construction. Meanwhile, the borough will receive $30 million in federal dollars to add to municipal funding to bring in utilities and prep the site as a deepwater industrial port. 

It’s a long-term project with potential long-term benefits for the town. It’s fitting to name the port after a long-term public servant.