[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 3839-3840]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING MITCH SEAVEY

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the winner of 
the 41st Iditarod race. Mitch Seavey of Seward finished the 998-mile 
dog sled race in a time of 9 days, 7 hours, 39 minutes, and 56 seconds. 
This is

[[Page 3840]]

Mitch's second title and I am happy to congratulate him on this 
significant accomplishment.
  Sixty-six teams left this year from Willow, heading out into the 
dark, cold, and exceptionally rugged terrain of Alaska. This race is 
not for the weak. Temperatures can plummet, footing is not always 
solid, and mushers have to deal with the isolation of the Alaskan 
wilderness, leading an equally brave and athletic team of canine 
athletes.
  Iditarod mushers are not the only people to have witnessed the great 
ability of sled dogs. American soldiers overseas are now benefiting 
from the training these canines endure. The U.S. Marine Corps recently 
decided to study the training regimen of sled dogs that are able to 
consistently run 1,000-mile races through hazardous conditions. What 
they observed is what we in the Iditarod community have become 
accustomed to in sled dog racing--train to the level in which you need 
to perform. For Iditarod dogs this means training in weather conditions 
they will encounter during an Alaskan winter and eating up to 12,000 
calories a day. Exercise and nutrition techniques were transferred from 
the Iditarod trail across the world to the deserts of Afghanistan. 
Bomb-sniffing dogs working in conditions just as extreme, sometimes in 
heat well in excess of 100 degrees, are now saving lives and limbs 
every day thanks to the science and innovative techniques developed in 
our great race. A group of those canines, led by Tanner, a 6-year-old 
husky, trained their way into peak physical condition and onto the 
winning podium in Nome.
  The Iditarod race exemplifies the greatest assets of my home State: 
vast nature and beauty, the greatest will and determination in the 
country, and most of all a sense of community. Those qualities are 
exemplified in this year's winner, Mitch Seavey.
  This title makes Mitch the oldest Iditarod winner ever. It is only 
fitting that Mitch crossed the burled arch on Front Street in Nome a 
champion, a year after his son Dallas claimed the title and became the 
youngest winner in Iditarod history. Back-to-back Seavey family 
championships lead me to believe that there must be some 
characteristics of this family that give them an advantage in the 
world's toughest race.
  Mitch Seavey's inspiring run this year was a testament to his 
athleticism, tenacity, and character. Mitch recaptured his title in 
dramatic fashion. His lead coming out of White Mountain, starting a 
sprint to Nome, was only 13 minutes. He thought he could see the dim 
light of his competitor's headlamp coming up behind his team and he 
reached another gear. Late Tuesday night Mitch crossed the finish line, 
claiming his second title, the first since his 2004 championship run. 
This was one of the closest Iditarod finishes ever. Mitch even joked 
coming out of White Mountain that he was going to grab his sneakers for 
the finish. In the heat of competition Mitch kept his sense of humor 
and now he has kept the Iditarod championship in the family for another 
year.
  Mitch Seavey may have claimed the Iditarod title in Nome, but getting 
to that point takes preparation and training that begins months if not 
years in advance. I would like to congratulate Mitch for all of his 
hard work and for claiming his second Iditarod title.
  I would also like to thank the Iditarod trail team, the many 
volunteers who came from around the country, the veterinarians, the 
Iditarod Air Force, and everyone else who has worked to ensure the 
safety and maintenance of the Iditarod trail and the safety of the 
dedicated athletes and canines that welcome the challenge. Their 
efforts are often underrated, but their commitment is resolute. My 
prayers go out to the families of Carolyn and Rosemarie Sorvoja, and 
pilot Ted Smith, who lost their lives in a tragic plane crash as they 
made their way to the eighth check point of Takotna. They had traveled 
hundreds of miles from the Anchorage area, in hopes of volunteering on 
the trail. Every volunteer knows the risks associated with their 
efforts to ensure the safety of others and the success of the Iditarod, 
but I am surprised each year at how many line up to serve in the face 
of rugged and extreme Alaskan conditions. This is now a time to 
remember and honor their efforts, and congratulate Mitch Seavey.
  I am proud to congratulate the Seavey team on this amazing 
accomplishment and historic milestone. I send my best wishes to Mitch 
and the whole Seavey family as they celebrate this well-deserved 
victory in Alaska's great race.

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