Alaska's Senator Ted Stevens showed the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center to his long time friend and colleague, Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii in August.  The Senators toured the building with Regional Director Tom Melius, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Manager Greg Siekaniec, and building partner, Kachemak Bay Research Reserve Manager Amy Alderfer.  The Senators met the press in the Refuge conference room followed by a public reception hosted by the City of Homer in the center's auditorium.  The Senators made brief remarks and then fielded questions from the audience of 150 local residents.  Senator Stevens has long been a supporter of Alaska Maritime Refuge and provided funding for the Refuge’s (and Service’s) flagship vessel, the 120-foot M/V Tiglax as well as Islands & Ocean visitor center and headquarters of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and Kachemak Bay Research Reserve.  Senator Stevens broke ground on the Center July 4, 2000, and dedicated the building July 3, 2004.