Remarks by Telephone to
Colonel Thomas Carroll of the Alaskan Whale Rescue Team
The President. Colonel Carroll?
Col.
Carroll. Yes, sir?
The President. This is Ronald Reagan.
Col.
Carroll. It's a pleasure, sir.
The President. Well, I'm calling first
of all -- I just have to tell you how much I'm impressed by all that you are
doing up there in this effort on the whales and tell you that down here a great
many of us are very concerned about that rescue operation and freeing those
three mammals. And I've called, well, for one thing, to see if I could get an
onsite report from you on the rescue effort and how it looks.
Col.
Carroll. Very good, sir. I'd just like to lead off by
saying that there's a tremendous amount of people who put a lot of effort who
appreciate the fact that you've taken the time from your schedule to call. And
we'll make sure that everybody knows that that did happen. I know they'll be
extremely pleased.
The President. Well, that isn't so
important, but we place a great importance on what you're doing up there. It's
a -- --
Col.
Carroll. I can give you a little bit of an update. Right now, of course, the
environment is extremely harsh, and the hover barge that we are going to take
over there to actually break the path through the ice has been sitting for
quite some time -- over 2 years. And so, the major effort here by VECO, the
company that actually owns the barge, has been to ensure that it's totally safe
and free of any maintenance problems that might occur. And that's been somewhat
of the holdup, because that kind of relates to the safety of the air crew that
will actually be towing the barge over to the community of Barrow.
The President. Yes, I know. And that
is an Alaska National Guard operation, isn't it?
Col.
Carroll. That's correct. The helicopter is a CH - 54 skycrane,
of course, one of a dying breed. And without the helicopter, this particular
operation would be impossible. But really the operation is a conglomeration of
private sector industry, ARCO, Standard Oil, VECO, and of course then the
National Guard is in here. And we're pulling it together. And then
additionally, there's a tremendous number of people in
the communities of Barrow that -- from a Greenpeace organization to National
Marine Fisheries -- that are really giving a hand. It's extremely moving when
you see the interest that's been generated not only here but across the Nation.
The President. Well, I was going to
say, yes, that it is. Television keeps us apprised, virtually on a daily basis,
of the plight of the whales, and photographing them and all. But through this,
we've become aware of how much all of you are doing up there, and I just want
to tell you that everybody down here -- their hearts are with you and we just
-- our prayers are also with you. And anything that we can say or do to help
you along with the success of the operation, we'd be pleased to do it.
Col.
Carroll. Sir, I think that this phone call, believe it or not, related to the
crews that are out there right now in the below-freezing weather, will make a
substantial difference in their morale. This is the kind of thing that kind of
makes it all worthwhile. And of course, the end product of hopefully saving
those whales is going to really be the peak.
The President. Well, you can tell them
all that we're very proud of all of you and what you're doing up there. And
I'll let you get on with your rescue mission now. But just know that a great
many people are praying for all of you.
Col.
Carroll. We appreciate it, sir. I'd like to just close the conversation with
one thing: There's a couple of people that were really
instrumental in the early stages of helping us out. And one is Senator Stevens,
and the other was Governor Steve Cowper. And I'm not just saying that for any
reason other than to just -- without them in the beginning helping all of the
organizations -- the Greenpeace, the National Guard, and everybody else -- I
don't think we'd be here today. And of course, your interest is extremely
helpful.
The President. Well, I appreciate
that, and I have a high regard for the two gentlemen you just mentioned, the
Governor and the Senator, and I'll relay to them what you've said.
Col.
Carroll. Thank you very much, sir.
The President. All
right. Okay goodbye: good luck!
Col.
Carroll. Very good, sir. Thank you.
The President. All
right. Bye.
Note: The President
spoke at