[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 12, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1887-S1888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                FAIRBANKS, THE ICE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

 Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, On March 17, 1996, the great 
Alaskan city of Fairbanks, my hometown, is hosting the World Ice 
Sculpting Championships as part of the annual Fairbanks Winter 
Carnival. The organizers of the event have discovered that Alaska has 
the best ice in the world for ice sculpting. In 1988 they invited ice 
sculpting teams from Chicago and China to come to Fairbanks in hopes of 
reviving the art of ice sculpting. At the time, they were unaware of 
the fine quality of Alaskan ice, so to make sure they had the right ice 
for the guest instructors they brought in blocks of ice from Seattle, 
WA. In addition, however, they harvested some local ice for comparison. 
As a surprise result, they discovered that Alaskan ice is superior to 
any

[[Page S1888]]

other ice found in the world. They now export Alaskan ice to such far 
away places as Frankenmuth, MI, for ice sculpting.
  The organizers of this event believe that because of the superiority 
of Alaskan ice and other favorable conditions, they have been able to 
attract a growing number of artisans to participate in the Fairbanks 
ice art ice sculpting championships. This year, Fairbanks is proudly 
hosting 67 teams from countries around the world including China, 
Korea, Holland, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Japan, France, Russia, Canada, 
and the contiguous United States.
  Fairbanks is able to successfully host this event through the hard 
work of volunteers. The organizers hope to continue to host the world 
championships every year except during years when the Winter Olympics 
are held. I am confident that this year Fairbanks, AK, will hold one of 
the biggest and best Winter Carnival's ever. My congratulations to the 
organizers and volunteers for all their effort and hard work.

                          ____________________