U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement after the passing of her former colleague, Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who served as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources from 2003 through 2008.

“I am truly saddened by the loss of my friend, Sen. Pete Domenici. Pete was a lifelong public servant dedicated to the people of his home state of New Mexico. I appreciate his significant contributions to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, particularly during his tenure as the chairman and ranking member. He shepherded two major energy bills into law with the same bipartisan spirit and tradition that continues at the committee today. He was also a champion of our national labs and nuclear energy, working to foster a 'nuclear renaissance' in this country. Pete was a statesman, a strong family man, and a man I was honored to call my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with Pete’s wife Nancy and his family.”