WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to North Korea’s latest threat of a preemptive nuclear attack on the United States, Alaskan Congressman Don Young on Thursday sent a letter to President Obama stressing the need for continued support of the Missile Defense Programs in the United States.

“North Korea’s latest threat cannot and should not be taken for granted. Alaska is one of the most strategic places in the world, especially when it comes to protecting this country from rogue nations and their threats of nuclear attacks,” Rep. Young said. “Fort Greely, Clear Air Force Station, and the rest of the Missile Defense infrastructure in this country protect this nation from unimaginable consequences and we need to make sure, now more than ever, that we fully fund this vital capability. I am inclined to agree with Brig. General Billy Mitchell, who in 1935, said ‘…he who hold Alaska will hold the world.’”

In his letter to President Obama, Rep. Young writes, “During your State of the Union speech, you echoed my thoughts regarding the continued development and installation of a robust Missile Defense Program. Recent events in both East Asia and the Middle East stress the importance of strengthening our defense.”

Rep. Young continues, “While an attack on our soil may seem improbable, it is clear that we can no longer rely on sanctions to defend our homeland. Our inability to use political pressure to prevent these nations from acquiring and using such devastating capabilities precipitates the need for continued and strong support for our defense.”

“I am proud that Alaska plays a large part in our defense from intercontinental ballistic missiles. Our ground based interceptor missiles and radar sites in Alaska are an important cornerstone of the national defense missile program.”

Rep. Young concludes, “As a government, it is our duty to protect our citizens from the unimaginable horrors that lurk beyond our borders. With the possibility of nuclear threats looming on the horizon, it is imperative that we continue to fully fund missile defense programs to ensure these threats do not reach our shores.”

The full letter from Rep. Young to President Obama can be found here.