[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 1, 2014

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Golden 
Anniversary of the Fairbanks North Star Borough. In 1901, during the 
midst of the Alaska Gold Rush, the first pioneers settled on the banks 
of the Chena River on the land that would become the Fairbanks North 
Star Borough. The discovery of gold created a population boom in the 
region, and the town of Fairbanks was established. In 1963, the Alaska 
Legislature passed the Mandatory Borough Act requiring that the most 
populated areas in the state join together to form organized borough 
governments. Fairbanks students won a competition to name the borough 
the North Star Borough, and in 1966, the name was officially changed to 
the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Over the last 50 years, the Borough 
has grown tremendously to become the second largest community in Alaska 
with a population of over 100,000 residents, and is commonly referred 
to as the ``Golden Heart of Alaska.'' The Fairbanks North Star Borough 
has managed a unique juxtaposition by retaining the small-town pioneer 
quality that existed in the early 1900s, yet thriving with a modern and 
youthful spirit stemming from the economic opportunities in the area, 
as well as being the home of the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus.
   After the gold rush, the next economic boom in the region was the 
discovery of oil in Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's North Slope. Fairbanks 
North Star Borough was the closest large town to the project, and as a 
result, construction on the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline began in 1974. The 
pipeline was completed in 1977, traveling over frozen tundra, the 
boreal forest, 800 rivers and streams, three major earthquake faults, 
and three rugged mountain ranges. The exploding construction of the 
800-mile pipeline brought more than 30,000 job opportunities to 
Fairbanks over the years.
   Today, the Borough is home to many Alaskans, Military Servicemen and 
women stationed at Ft. Wainwright Army Base and Eielson Air Force Base, 
and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, enrolling 10,800 students 
annually. Ft. Wainwright and Eielson AFB's strategic locations and 
Fairbanks' uniquely harsh climate prepare units to deploy anywhere in 
the world for contingencies ranging from humanitarian relief to combat 
operations. Eielson AFB remains a strategic location for refueling and 
North American Aerospace Defense Command.
   On behalf of the State of Alaska, Fairbanks North Star Borough has 
hosted many international sporting events such as the World Eskimo-
Indian Olympics, Junior Olympics, and the 2014 Arctic Winter Games. 
Fairbanks is also home to the Yukon Quest, an international 1,000 mile 
sled dog that is considered one of the toughest in the world.
   Fairbanks North Star Borough has and will continue to provide 
important energy and mineral resources, defense tools, and education 
for Alaskans. The borough encourages vibrant, engaged citizens, and 
continues to provide for residents and businesses not only in the State 
of Alaska, but in the entire United States of America. I know that 
Fairbanks North Star Borough will continue to serve as a wonderful 
example for towns across the world.
   Mr. Speaker, I would like all Members of Congress to join me in 
congratulating the Fairbanks North Star Borough on its Golden 
Anniversary.