On the recordMarch 17, 2011
I have a short statement recognizing the phenomenal historical win of the Iditarod race. John Baker is an Inupiaq Alaska Native and is the first Alaskan Native to win the Iditarod in 35 years, and it has been around for 39 years. He made it to Nome on the thousand mile-plus Iditarod Trail in record time: 8 days, 19 hours, 46 minutes, and 39 seconds on the trail, which is the fastest time in the Iditarod history. We are exceptionally proud of John Baker. I had an opportunity to be with John Baker and his phenomenal dog team as they were preparing to leave from Anchorage 2 weeks ago, and John said, ``It's my time, Lisa.'' He has been in the top 10 for 11 tries now, and we are exceptionally proud of him, but not only proud of John Baker and his approach to the care of his dogs and his team, but we are proud of the canine athletes. He has a couple lead dogs, Velvet and Snicker, that are pretty incredible.
