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WASHINGTON, D.C.— Representatives Don Young and Rick Larsen (WA-02) this week introduced a House Resolution to mark the 20^th anniversary of the Arctic Council and to express support for the Council’s work.  

The resolution cited the Arctic Council’s vital importance in promoting international cooperation on military, maritime, economic and scientific interests shared by Arctic nations.

“The United States’ current chairmanship of the Arctic Council offers an opportunity to promote and implement our policy objectives,” wrote the Chairs of the Congressional Arctic Working Group. “The House of Representatives supports the Arctic Council’s work and remains committed to ensuring that the United States fulfills its responsibilities as an Arctic nation and asserts leadership on issues affecting the Arctic.”

The Arctic Council – which is an intergovernmental body that promotes collaboration between the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden – was established on September 19, 1996.

In 2014, Larsen and Young launched the bipartisan Congressional Arctic Working Group to help members of Congress better understand the opportunities and challenges for the U.S. as an Arctic nation and act as a resource for other Arctic countries to interact with Congress. The Working Group brings together people from across many stakeholder communities to advise Congress on Arctic policies and establishing a strong presence in the region.

Young and Larsen are two of the House’s leading voices focused on helping raise awareness about Arctic issues – including the need for the U.S. to strengthen its fleet of polar icebreakers. In recent years, Larsen and Young have called for a number of Government Accountability Office studies regarding the Arctic (found here and here).

For text of the resolution click HERE.