Fran Ulmer, Robert Papp To Serve The Nation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JULY 16, 2014
Alaska’s Democratic State Representatives today congratulated former Lieutenant Governor, Alaska Representative, University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor, and Juneau Mayor Fran Ulmer, along with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr. (Ret.) on the announcement of their appointments to serve the United States on Arctic issues.
Ulmer, who chairs President Obama’s U.S. Arctic Research Commission, will provide counsel to Secretary of State John Kerry as Special Advisor on Arctic Science and Policy. Former USCG Commandant Papp will be the State Department’s Special Representative for the Arctic.
“We’re pleased and proud our former colleague Fran Ulmer has accepted this important role on Arctic matters,” Representative David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks) said. “Fran is an enormously talented, articulate, and experienced leader. She’ll serve our nation and Alaska well as the entire world turns its attention to the circumpolar North.” Rep. Guttenberg is a member of the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission (AAPC).
Admiral Papp fills a position designed by President Obama and Secretary Kerry to elevate Arctic issues in America’s foreign policy and national security strategy. Read Secretary Kerry’s statement here.
Praise for the appointments has come from across the country, including from Senator Mark Begich, Senator Lisa Murkowski, and the AAPC.
House Democratic Leader Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) acknowledged Ulmer’s and Papp’s impressive careers. “Both appointees are brilliantly prepared to assume these important roles,” Tuck said. “All Alaskans should wish them well in their new endeavors.”
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