The announcement that our Junior US Senator was the speaker brought a full house, despite the short notice. In order to give the speaker the maximum time, President Jay eliminated many of the usual meeting formalities. We did receive a great thought-for-the-day from active new member Monika Fair. “Staying positive does not mean that things will turn out okay. Rather, it is knowing that you will be okay no matter how things turn out”.
Senator Sullivan opened with remembrances of his time as a Rotary Foundation Scholar. He told us that experience sparked his interest in world affairs which led to a job in the Bush White House. Those interests in world affairs and Rotary have given him a admiration for Rotary and the Gates Foundation’s work to eradicate polio.
In the next Congress Sullivan sees 3 tasks and challenges. First to revitalize the economy, second are social challenges and lastly our national security. He remembers that Colin Powell once said that “Optimism is a force multiplier.” He predicts that progress will be made.
Sullivan recounted how he became involved in the confirmation of former Chicago mayor and Obama chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel as ambassador to Japan. Our senator agreed to back the nomination if Emanuel would commit to supporting work to develop Japanese markets for the Alaska Gas line. So far, the Ambassador has kept his promise.
Sullivan sees progress on the Nome deep water port project and considers this to be a national security project.
In his opinion there are factions within the Biden administration that are seeking to “shut down” natural resource development in our state. He pointed out that there have been 41 executive orders from this administration “against Alaska.” He made particular note of the need to develop the Ambler mining district as well as the Pitka and Willow oil projects on the North Slope.
In his wide ranging 45 minute talk the senator also touched on Governor Parnell’s Respect Initiative and the connection to the Federal Empower Act that requires each Federal judge to encourage the members of the bar to provide pro bono representation to those suffering abuse.
He acknowledged that addiction is not a moral failing and connected fentanyl deaths to a porous southern border. Sullivan also touched on the increasing suicide rate among our young. Up 30% in boys and 50% in girls. He attributes that to the loneliness that comes from excessive time spent on social media.
The Senator points out that currently Alaska has the largest concentration of 5th generation fighter aircraft, made up of a mix of F22’s and F35’s in the world.
Our national security stance should be inspired by the bravery of the Ukrainian nation. He sees the US and our allies as preparing to stand up to a trend of authoritarian governments aggression around the world. We will prevail with a combination of supplying military resources and the inherent superiority of our democratic traditions.