This is the way the federal government should work.

Alaska has a surplus of pink salmon from the 2013 record harvest. The feds need food to feed the poor.

The state and the feds will help each other, with the latter buying $13 million in pinks from the former.

This is terrific for the state and The Emergency Food Assistance Program operated by the feds.

This salmon, one of the best nutrient sources available anywhere, will help Americans who have been seeking emergency food assistance as a result of the economy and lack of jobs in their parts of the nation.

It would be shameful for the feds to be aware of the surplus salmon and not acquire it for such a program.

The feds also will be assisting the state in that, with supplies from ‘13 remaining, it is difficult to proceed with 2014’s newest supply. This will help Alaska’s salmon-fishing industry.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski asked Tom Vilsack, secretary for the United States Department of Agriculture, to consider such a purchase weeks ago. Gov. Sean Parnell made a similar request. Clearly, it’s a request that all of Alaska’s congressional delegation and leadership would favor.

The purchase will help the low-income families seeking food assistance, some of whom are living in Alaska. It also helps the fishermen and the state.

It’s what this state and nation is all about — Alaskans and Americans helping out, supporting each other and the state and nation.

— Ketchikan Daily News,

Sept. 5