[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 270 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 270
To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to
establish a United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 11, 2013
Mr. Begich introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to
establish a United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``United States Ambassador at Large
for Arctic Affairs Act of 2013''.
SEC. 2. UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR AT LARGE FOR ARCTIC AFFAIRS.
Title I of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22
U.S.C. 2651a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 63. UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR AT LARGE FOR ARCTIC AFFAIRS.
``(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
``(1) the United States is an Arctic nation with--
``(A) an approximately 700-mile border on the
Arctic Ocean;
``(B) more than 100,000,000 acres of land above the
Arctic Circle; and
``(C) an even broader area defined as Arctic by
temperature that includes the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands;
``(2) the Arctic region of the United States--
``(A) is known to the indigenous population as
Inuvikput, or the `place where we live';
``(B) is home to an indigenous population that has
subsisted for millennia on the abundance of marine
mammals, fish, and wildlife, many species of which are
unique to the Arctic region;
``(C) has produced more than 16,000,000,000 barrels
of oil, and, according to the United States Geological
Service, holds 30,000,000,000 barrels of oil and 220
trillion cubic feet of natural gas, making the region
fundamentally important to the interest of the United
States;
``(3) since 1959, temperatures in the Arctic region of the
United States have warmed by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius, a rate of
increase more than twice the global average;
``(4) the Arctic ice pack is rapidly diminishing and
thinning, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration estimates the Arctic Ocean may be ice free
during the summer months in as few as 30 years;
``(5) these changes are having a significant impact on the
communities and ecosystems of the indigenous people of the
Arctic, and the marine mammals, fish, and wildlife upon which
the indigenous population depends;
``(6) these changes are opening new portions of the Arctic
continental shelf of the United States to possible development
for offshore oil and gas, commercial fishing, marine shipping,
and tourism;
``(7) increased industrial development and commercial
activity in the Arctic region requires a heightened diplomatic
presence to address important issues that involve the United
States and Pan-Arctic countries or the Arctic Council;
``(8) the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum
established in 1996, includes representatives from Canada,
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation,
Sweden, and the United States and 6 Permanent Participants who
represent the indigenous peoples of the Arctic;
``(9) the Arctic Council--
``(A) is committed to the well-being of the people
who live in the Arctic region;
``(B) recognizes the special relationship
indigenous people have with the Arctic region;
``(C) acknowledges the unique contributions
indigenous communities make to the Arctic region;
``(D) is committed to sustainable economic and
social development in the Arctic region, improving
health conditions in the Arctic region, and fostering
cultural well-being in the Arctic region; and
``(E) is committed to protecting the Arctic
environment, including Arctic ecosystems, biodiversity
in the Arctic region, and the conservation and
sustainable use of Arctic natural resources;
``(10) other Arctic countries are pursuing claims for
Arctic seabed resources under the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea, signed at Montego Bay, Jamaica, December
10, 1982;
``(11) the North Pacific Fishery Management Council
recommends closing commercial fishing operations in the Arctic
waters of the United States until sustainable fishing is
scientifically determined, an action that will only be
effective with cooperation from neighboring Arctic countries;
``(12) increased commercial activity in the Arctic region
raises concerns regarding national security, environmental
protection, and the cultural and subsistence needs of
indigenous communities;
``(13) the United States seeks to maintain, and further
develop, a constructive and cordial relationship with the
members of the Arctic Council; and
``(14) the United States has not established an Ambassador
at Large for Arctic Affairs, who would enhance the ability of
the United States to respond quickly and appropriately to
issues of mutual interest to the Arctic Council and Arctic
countries generally.
``(b) Establishment.--There is established within the Department of
State an Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs (referred to in this
section as the `Ambassador'), appointed under subsection (c).
``(c) Appointment.--The Ambassador shall be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
``(d) Duties.--
``(1) Diplomatic representation.--Subject to the direction
of the President and the Secretary of State, the Ambassador is
authorized to represent the United States in matters and cases
relevant to Arctic affairs in--
``(A) contacts with foreign governments,
intergovernmental organizations, and specialized
agencies of the United Nations, the Arctic Council, and
other international organizations of which the United
States is a member; and
``(B) multilateral conferences and meetings
relating to Arctic affairs.
``(2) Advisory role.--The Ambassador shall be a principal
adviser to the President and the Secretary of State regarding
matters affecting Arctic affairs and shall make recommendations
regarding the policies of the United States relating to Arctic
affairs.
``(e) Funding.--The Secretary of State shall provide the Ambassador
with such funds as may be necessary to carry out the duties described
in subsection (d).''.
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