Nicholas Begich

Mr. BEGICH

Mr. BEGICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an issue of national importance: Our commitment to space exploration and Alaska's vital role in securing America's presence in space. Space exploration drives innovation, strengthens our economy, and enhances national security. The investments we make today will shape our future strength and prosperity as a Nation. Alaska, the Last Frontier, is well positioned to play a key role in our Nation's space operations. Alaska's unique geographic position gives it a crucial edge in space surveillance, missile defense, satellite communications, and launch capabilities. With a high-latitude polar launch capability and vast, remote terrain, my State offers unparalleled advantages for both government and commercial space initiatives. The Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska, or PSCA, on Kodiak Island is at the forefront of these efforts as a premier launch site that plays a critical role in America's space strategy. Alaska's geostrategic location in the Arctic makes it an indispensable asset in America's national defense and global power projection. As the closest U.S. State to both Russia and China, Alaska provides unparalleled access to the Arctic, a region rapidly growing in economic and military significance. With shifting ice patterns opening new maritime routes, control over Arctic air and sea lanes is critical to maintaining U.S. strategic interests. Alaska's military installations, missile defense systems, and space infrastructure collectively form a cornerstone of national security, ensuring America's readiness in this increasingly contested region. The Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska is one of four of the country's few fully operational, federally licensed spaceports capable of delivering payloads to orbit. Managed by the Alaska Aerospace Corporation, its remote location provides a strategic advantage, reducing risks to populated areas and offering access to vital polar and Sun-synchronous orbits. This capability is essential for Earth observation, climate monitoring, missile defense, and reconnaissance missions. Unlike other launch sites in the lower 48, Alaska's spaceport benefits from minimal air traffic congestion and robust launch windows, enabling greater efficiency and mission success. This spaceport is designed to be highly adaptable and can accommodate a wide range of launch vehicles, from small satellites to larger payloads. Its infrastructure includes multiple launch pads, a state-of- the-art range control center, and cutting-edge telemetry capabilities. Furthermore, the PSCA is a key contributor to economic development in Alaska, creating jobs, fostering technological advancements, and attracting investment from domestic and international space companies. The Alaska Aerospace Corporation was established in 1991 by the Alaska Legislature and has been instrumental in advancing the State's role in space operations. As the operator of the PSCA, Alaska Aerospace provides critical infrastructure and space launch capabilities that support both government and commercial launches, reinforcing our Nation's ability to remain at the forefront of space innovation. Additionally, Clear Space Force Station near Fairbanks is pivotal in space situational awareness and missile defense. This facility is crucial for tracking objects in orbit, ensuring that America maintains a vigilant eye on potential threats and space debris that could endanger critical infrastructure. These efforts are vital to protecting our Nation's interests and maintaining a leading presence in space. The potential benefits of Alaska's growing space sector align with our Nation's security and technological advancement initiatives. The Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska holds an incredible opportunity for dominance in space. The industry in my State has created many high- paying jobs in engineering, aerospace technology, and infrastructure. These positions offer competitive salaries and career stability, attracting top talent and fostering a skilled workforce in Alaska. Moreover, the increased investment in space operations has generated economic ripple effects, benefiting local businesses, housing markets, and service industries. Alaska's role in space operations is poised for even more significant expansion. The State's infrastructure is uniquely positioned to support the next wave of advancements in space travel, including reusable launch vehicles, hypersonic testing, and deep-space exploration. As commercial companies like SpaceX continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, Alaska stands ready to provide essential launch services that will further our Nation's ambitions beyond Earth's orbit. Reducing dependence on foreign space infrastructure is a matter of national security and economic sovereignty. For too long, the United States has relied on foreign launch services and satellite capabilities, leaving critical assets vulnerable to geopolitical uncertainty. Increasing the use of Alaska's space infrastructure will ensure that our national security interests, commercial enterprises, and scientific missions remain independent and protected from foreign influence. Mr. Speaker, we cannot discuss the future of space without acknowledging the transformative impact of private industry. Companies like SpaceX and other commercial aerospace pioneers have revolutionized space travel by making launches more affordable and frequent. With its strategic location and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Alaska offers an ideal partner for these enterprises. The Pacific Spaceport Complex- Alaska provides the logistical support, safety advantages, and launch capabilities to advance commercial expansion and national security objectives. As global competition in space intensifies, our ability to support our Nation's space-based assets has never been more crucial. We must continue to invest in these capabilities, expand our launch infrastructure, and ensure that our space assets in Alaska remain at the cutting edge of technology. Whether it is weather forecasting, global communications, or national defense, our reliance on space assets grows every day. The work done in Alaska ensures that America remains a leader in this critical domain. Mr. Speaker, space is the next great frontier, and America cannot afford to fall behind. We must continue to invest in our space infrastructure, foster private-sector innovation, and recognize Alaska's strategic significance in maintaining international leadership. Let us, in this 119th Congress, reaffirm our commitment to space exploration, national security, and economic prosperity, ensuring that Alaska and the United States remain the undisputed leaders in this critical domain.

Mr. BEGICH

Mr. BEGICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 42, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act. This legislation makes a simple but necessary fix to Federal law, ensuring that certain benefits distributed through Alaska Native corporation settlement trusts do not unreasonably disqualify vulnerable Alaskans from receiving assistance. For decades, Alaska Native corporations have provided vital support to their shareholders, including through settlement trusts, an essential tool Congress authorized in 1988 to deliver benefits in a structured, perpetual way. However, due to an oversight in the law, payments from these trusts are counted as income when determining eligibility for Federal programs like Supplemental Security Income, SNAP, and housing assistance. That means visually impaired and disabled Alaska Natives and elders are forced to make an impossible choice: accept the benefits from their settlement trusts or maintain their access to critical assistance. By ensuring that these benefits are not counted as income, H.R. 42 aligns settlement trust distributions with other Alaska Native benefits already excluded from eligibility calculations. It upholds the original intent of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and protects the most vulnerable in need in our Alaska Native communities. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan, commonsense legislation. Let's ensure that no one has to choose between their critical assistance and their well-being.

Mr. BEGICH

Mr. BEGICH. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 43, the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act. This bill corrects a decades-old oversight in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to ensure Alaska Native communities can fully use their own land. In 1971, ANCSA granted fee simple land ownership to Alaska Natives, resolving historic land claims and enabling statehood land entitlements. However, section 14(c)(3) required Native Village Corporations to transfer land to the State of Alaska to be held in trust for future municipalities. More than 50 years later, only 8 of 101 affected villages have incorporated, leaving 11,500 acres in 83 villages frozen in bureaucratic limbo. H.R. 43 eliminates this outdated requirement and returns these lands to Village Corporations, allowing for housing, economic development, and community expansion. This bill restores self-determination, ensuring Alaska Natives, not government bureaucracy, decide how to use their own land. This legislation has broad support, as was mentioned, including from the Alaska Governor and State Legislature, and was unanimously passed by the Senate in the last Congress. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense fix and allow these lands to be used by their owners to support their own communities.

Mr. BEGICH

Mr. BEGICH. Mr. Speaker, it is with great reverence that I rise today to honor the life and memory of Andy Kriner, a longtime resident of Alaska, and a beloved member of the community. Mr. Kriner was the owner of Kriner's Diner in Anchorage, which he founded in 2010. The diner became well-known for its great food and its warm, welcoming environment, rooted in the values of family, friendship, and community. It is an honor to stand before you today and pay tribute to the legacy he left behind. Mr. Kriner embodied true American values and integrity through his commitment to advocating for small businesses in the face of adversity and standing firm in the face of government overreach. Andy was a man who deeply understood the importance of giving back. Every year, he distributed more than 400 Thanksgiving dinners to anyone who came by his diner, with no questions asked. This annual tradition demonstrated his dedication to service and his commitment to standing up for what was right, making him a pillar of our Alaskan community. Mr. Kriner is survived by his wife, Norann, of 45 years, as well as his three children and six grandchildren. His legacy will live on through the business he built, the family he cherished, and the community he enriched.