00                   HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5                                                                    
01 Declaring 2015, 2016, and 2017 to be the Years of the Arctic; encouraging the state and                                 
02 its partners to join the Institute of the North; and encouraging the state to promote its                               
03 Arctic policy during the Years of the Arctic and to take action to address the strategic                                
04 recommendations in the Arctic Policy and Implementation Plan of the Alaska Arctic                                       
05 Policy Commission.                                                                                                      
06 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
07       WHEREAS residents of the state are at the forefront of emerging economic and                                    
08 resource development opportunities, vibrant healthy communities, and circumpolar                                        
09 cooperation; and                                                                                                        
10       WHEREAS the vision of the state for the Arctic is based on economic resource                                    
11 development, a healthy environment, secure and safe communities, and transparent decision                               
12 making; and                                                                                                             
13       WHEREAS the Arctic is an integral part of the identity of the state, home to many                               
14 residents of the state, and an important part of the history, culture, and prosperity of the state;                     
15 and                                                                                                                     

01       WHEREAS the Arctic is a significant geopolitical feature of the nation; and                                     
02       WHEREAS the Arctic is becoming increasingly accessible, presenting a multitude of                               
03 opportunities that should be realized; and                                                                              
04       WHEREAS the draft Arctic Policy and Implementation Plan, released by the Alaska                                 
05 Arctic Policy Commission, highlights the critical importance of the Arctic to the future of the                         
06 state; and                                                                                                              
07       WHEREAS there is a need to strengthen international collaboration, promote                                      
08 economic and resource development, and continue to cultivate healthy communities and a                                  
09 healthy environment in the Arctic; and                                                                                  
10       WHEREAS the United States will chair the Arctic Council from April 2015 to                                      
11 May 2017; and                                                                                                           
12       WHEREAS the state should anticipate increased national and international attention                              
13 during this period;                                                                                                     
14       BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature declares 2015, 2016, and 2017                                  
15 to be the Years of the Arctic, a period during which the state should make every effort to                              
16 highlight the importance of the Arctic to residents of the state and nation; and be it                                  
17       FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature encourages the state and                                     
18 its partners to join the Institute of the North, so that the state, together with national                              
19 organizations, corporations, and other entities, can broaden awareness of Arctic issues; and be                         
20 it                                                                                                                      
21       FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature encourages the state to                                      
22 promote its Arctic policy during the Years of the Arctic and to take action to address the                              
23 strategic recommendations in the Arctic Policy and Implementation Plan of the Alaska Arctic                             
24 Policy Commission.