,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bgj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #aa1 #bjac ,mr4 ,begich introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,state ,department ,basic ,authorities ,act of #aief to establish a ,united ,states ,ambassador at ,large for ,arctic ,affairs4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,united ,states ,ambassador at ,large for ,arctic ,affairs ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,united ,states ,ambassador at ,large for ,arctic ,affairs ,title ,i of the ,state ,department ,basic ,authorities ,act of #aief 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bfea;a et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #fc4 ,united ,states ,ambassador at ,large for ,arctic ,affairs 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 the ,united ,states is an ,arctic nation with-- 7,a7 an approximately #gjj-mile border on the ,arctic ,ocean2 7,b7 more than #ajj1jjj1jjj acres of land above the ,arctic ,circle2 and 7,c7 an even broader area defined as ,arctic by temperature that includes the ,bering ,sea and ,aleutian ,islands2 7#b7 the ,arctic region of the ,united ,states-- 7,a7 is known to the indigenous population as ,inuvikput1 or the place where we live2 7,b7 is home to an indigenous population that has subsisted for millennia on the abundance of marine mammals1 fish1 and wildlife1 many species of which are unique to the ,arctic region2 7,c7 has produced more than #af1jjj1jjj1jjj barrels of oil1 and1 according to the ,united ,states ,geological ,service1 holds #cj1jjj1jjj1jjj barrels of oil and #bbj trillion cubic feet of natural gas1 making the region fundamentally important to the interest of the ,united ,states2 7#c7 since #aiei1 temperatures in the ,arctic region of the ,united ,states have warmed by #c to #d degrees ,celsius1 a rate of increase more than twice the global average2 7#d7 the ,arctic ice pack is rapidly diminishing and thinning1 and the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration estimates the ,arctic ,ocean may be ice free during the summer months in as few as #cj years2 7#e7 these changes are having a significant impact on the communities and ecosystems of the indigenous people of the ,arctic1 and the marine mammals1 fish1 and wildlife upon which the indigenous population depends2 7#f7 these changes are opening new portions of the ,arctic continental shelf of the ,united ,states to possible development for offshore oil and gas1 commercial fishing1 marine shipping1 and tourism2 7#g7 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 ,council2 7#h7 the ,arctic ,council1 an intergovernmental forum established in #aiif1 includes representatives from ,canada1 ,denmark1 ,finland1 ,iceland1 ,norway1 the ,russian ,federation1 ,sweden1 and the ,united ,states and #f ,permanent ,participants who represent the indigenous peoples of the ,arctic2 7#i7 the ,arctic ,council-- 7,a7 is committed to the well-being of the people who live in the ,arctic region2 7,b7 recognizes the special relationship indigenous people have with the ,arctic region2 7,c7 acknowledges the unique contributions indigenous communities make to the ,arctic region2 7,d7 is committed to sustainable economic and social development in the ,arctic region1 improving health conditions in the ,arctic region1 and fostering cultural well-being in the ,arctic region2 and 7,e7 is committed to protecting the ,arctic environment1 including ,arctic ecosystems1 biodiversity in the ,arctic region1 and the conservation and sustainable use of ,arctic natural resources2 7#aj7 other ,arctic countries are pursuing claims for ,arctic seabed resources under the ,united ,nations ,convention on the ,law of the ,sea1 signed at ,montego ,bay1 ,jamaica1 ,december #aj1 #aihb2 7#aa7 the ,north ,pacific ,fishery ,management ,council recommends closing commercial fishing operations in the ,arctic waters of the ,united ,states until sustainable fishing is scientifically determined1 an action that will only be effective with cooperation from neighboring ,arctic countries2 7#ab7 increased commercial activity in the ,arctic region raises concerns regarding national security1 environmental protection1 and the cultural and subsistence needs of indigenous communities2 7#ac7 the ,united ,states seeks to maintain1 and further develop1 a constructive and cordial relationship with the members of the ,arctic ,council2 and 7#ad7 the ,united ,states has not established an ,ambassador at ,large for ,arctic ,affairs1 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 generally4 7b7 ,establishment ,there is established within the ,department of ,state an ,ambassador at ,large for ,arctic ,affairs 7referred to in this section as the ,ambassador71 appointed under subsection 7c74 7c7 ,appointment ,the ,ambassador shall be appointed by the ,president1 by and with the advice and consent of the ,senate4 7d7 ,duties 7#a7 ,diplomatic representation ,subject to the direction of the ,president and the ,secretary of ,state1 the ,ambassador is authorized to represent the ,united ,states in matters and cases relevant to ,arctic affairs in-- 7,a7 contacts with foreign governments1 intergovernmental organizations1 and specialized agencies of the ,united ,nations1 the ,arctic ,council1 and other international organizations of which the ,united ,states is a member2 and 7,b7 multilateral conferences and meetings relating to ,arctic affairs4 7#b7 ,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 affairs4 7e7 ,funding ,the ,secretary of ,state shall provide the ,ambassador with such funds as may be necessary to carry out the duties described in subsection 7d74 4