04/07/1995 01:40 PM Senate CRA

              SSSJR 18 CREATION OF ARCTIC COUNCIL                             
                                                                              
 Number 247                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR TORGERSON brought  SSSJR 18  before the committee as the next         
 order of business.                                                            
                                                                               
 CHERYL DAVIS, staff to Senator Al Adams who is the prime sponsor of           
 the resolution, read the following sponsor statement into the                 
 record:                                                                       
                                                                               
 "Senator Adams supports the formation of an Arctic Council.  This             
 Arctic Council would be a permanent, intergovernmental  policy                
 forum.  It would involve citizens from the northern region to                 
 discuss issues that affect them directly.  The countries that would           
 participate are:  the United States, Denmark, Finland, Iceland,               
 Norway, Russia, Sweden and Canada.  This forum would provide a                
 broader and coordinated voice in response to critical issues facing           
 the Arctic countries."                                                        
                                                                               
 "Over the past few years, there has been a growing awareness of the           
 needs and the mutual concerns of Arctic countries and their                   
 indigenous people.  Organizations have been established to look at            
 specialized needs affecting the northern countries.  The purpose of           
 the Arctic Council is not to duplicate or replace the specialized             
 organizations but to serve as an umbrella body.  This forum would             
 ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness by provide focus and              
 policy direction to existing Arctic related organizations."                   
                                                                               
 "The Arctic Council would provide a mechanism or mandate to address           
 the full range of Arctic issues.  It would be the singular                    
 international entity to direct better coordination and interaction            
 among the Arctic governments."                                                
                                                                               
 "The Arctic Council would operate on a consensus basis.  The                  
 relationship between the Arctic Council and other existing                    
 organizations would be defined more precisely as part of the                  
 process of the establishment of the Arctic Council.  This forum               
 would strengthen circumpolar initiatives to contribute to                     
 international cooperation to meet the new challenges of sustainable           
 development."                                                                 
                                                                               
 "Senator Adams urges your support for this resolution."                       
                                                                               
 Number 280                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR TORGERSON directed attention to his proposed amendment to             
 SSSJR 18 and asked Mr. Davis if Senator Adams has a position on it.           
 CHERYL DAVIS responded that Senator Adams does not have a problem             
 with the proposed changes and believes they will help clarify the             
 establishment of the council.                                                 
                                                                               
 Number 285                                                                    
                                                                               
 CHARLES MCKEE, testifying from Anchorage, voiced his opposition to            
 SSSJR 18.                                                                     
                                                                               
 Number 330                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR R. PHILLIPS moved the following amendment offered by                  
 Senator Torgerson:                                                            
                                                                               
 Amendment No. 1                                                             
                                                                               
 Page 1, lines 6 - 7:  Delete "political energy and" and insert "a"            
                                                                               
 Page 1, lines 12 - 14:  Delete "Canada, the Clinton administration,           
 and the administration of the State of Alaska have indicated that             
 they support creation of the council;"                                        
                                                                               
 Page 2, line 5:  Following "appropriate," and insert "recommending"           
                                                                               
 Page 2, line 6:  Delete "Arctic-related organizations" and insert             
 "agencies with authority over Arctic-related issues"                          
                                                                               
 Page 2, line 15 - 16:  Delete "the Honorable Strom Thurmond,                  
 President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate;"                                    
                                                                               
 Hearing no objection to the adoption of Amendment No. 1, SENATOR              
 TORGERSON stated it was adopted and would be incorporated into a              
 Community & Regional Affairs CS.                                              
                                                                               
 Number 360                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR HOFFMAN moved that CS SSSJR 18(CRA) be passed out of                  
 committee with individual recommendations.  SENATOR KELLY objected            
 and stated he thinks it is reflective of the Northern Forum which             
 he thinks has been very successful in getting these Arctic                    
 governments together.  A roll call vote was taken with the                    
 following result:  Senators Phillips, Hoffman & Torgerson voted               
 "Yea" and Senator Kelly voted "Nay."  The Chairman stated the                 
 motion to move the resolution out of committee carried.