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.