After his trip to Seward’s Exit Glacier today, President Barack Obama stopped by a local ice cream shop before issuing a statement about his trip so far.
The president dipped into a fudge and sweet shop called Sweet Darlings in Seward where he took orders for some of the press and protective agents before eating some chocolate and coconut ice cream.
Afterwards he worked a nearby rope line where fans had gathered, speaking with students and correctly guessing the grades of excited first and third graders.
Around 4:25 pm, President Obama arrived at the port on Resurrection Bay, delivering remarks about his trip so far.
“I just wanted to mention that one of the things that we’ve been trying to highlight during this trip is the changing nature of the Artic, as a consequence of climate change, is a whole series of strategic implications — economic and national security — that is how to maintain our capability when it comes to maritime issues and commerce. You know, after World War II, we had 7 icebreakers, 4 under the Navy and 3 under the Coast Guard.
Today, in part because we haven’t reinvested, we technically have three, operationally we only have two really – and only one heavy icebreaker.
Just to give you a sense of contrast, Russia has 40 icebreakers either planned or under construction.
In light of the changes that are going to be taking place with vessels going through the Arctic, even if we’re on top of climate change issues, change is already happening and is inevitable.
It’s important that we are prepared so whether it’s for search and rescue missions or national security reasons, whether it’s for commerce reasons, that we have much greater capability than we now have.
One of the things that I’m announcing today is the proposal to accelerate construction of an additional heavy icebreaker.
And to work with congress to make sure we’re producing a sufficient fleet to make sure we’re meeting our economic, maritime and national security needs.
And it is something that has been championed by republicans – like Sen. Sullivan here in Alaska — and democrats like Maria Cantwell in Washington… Although it’s a lot easier to do it if we’re not continuing to labor under sequestration… Of our domestic priorities and investments… These icebreakers are an example of something that we need online now. They can’t wait,” Obama said, vowing to “work with congress to make that happen.”