42 



These are 4,423 direct jobs resulting in another 6,192 indirect 

 and induced jobs for a grand total of 10,615 jobs dependent upon 

 the Southeastern Alaska timber industry. These are jobs sorely 

 needed in my state, where we are currently experiencing over 

 double-digit unemployment, the highest in the Nation. 



The high quality of Alaska Pulp produces does play a critical role 

 in our space program, a little-known fact, Mr. Chairman. But it is 

 important to note that the Sitka Mill makes an extremely high 

 quality pulp product which is used to produce a special rayon yarn 

 critically needed in the space shuttle's strategic missiles. 



Alaska Pulp provides material to Avtex Fibers in Front Royal, 

 Virginia, the only qualified supplier of aerospace grade rayon yarn 

 essential to many tactical and strategic missiles and the space 

 shuttle program. The Air Force has requested that Alaska Pulp in- 

 crease its shipments to Avtex. 



According to the Air Force in a recent letter, and I quote: "With- 

 out an adequate quantity of wood pulp, Avtex will not be able to 

 operate at economic levels and this could force the plant into final 

 closure, thereby jeopardizing our national security." 



Finally, Mr. Chairman — and I know you have waited along time 

 for this, but I think it is appropriate that we lay a background so 

 that the record can reflect a base to qualify the accuracy of what 

 we are attempting to portray — I have observed that my colleagues 

 from the Western States must continually oppose national preser- 

 vation group agendas for local land use in their states. 



Large areas of our state are owned by the Federal Government, 

 and the relationship between the Federal lands manager and the 

 local community runs very deep. Their livelihoods depend on it. 

 Many of my Eastern colleagues will never fully understand how 

 the federal presence affects our workers, our families, communities, 

 and our states in general. 



Consider what it would be like to give up control of a large land 

 area in your own state. What areas would you choose? Worse yet, 

 what if the government decided for you? I have 56 million acres of 

 the 90 million acre National wilderness preservation system in my 

 state. Fifty-six million out of 90. 



How much is enough? The designated wilderness in Alaska is 

 larger than the State of Idaho. One would think the Wilderness 

 Act was written only for Alaska, in my mind. But it was not. I ask 

 my colleagues, how would you go about selecting which segment of 

 your population, which would be allowed to remain, which would 

 be required to relocate, and how would you choose which of your 

 industries and communities would be dismantled for the alleged 

 good of the Nation? 



How would you explain to working mothers and fathers that 

 they would no longer have a job to support their families because 

 the government, 2,500 miles away in Washington, D.C., best knew 

 how to allocate uses of land? 



Mr. Chairman, the most difficult explanation of all is to explain 

 to your neighbors and friends how people thousands of miles away 

 with little or no knowledge about their community or traditions or 

 way of life, people who have nothing personal to lose in the out- 

 come of decisions, could have more voice in the process than they 

 have themselves. 



