[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SENATOR TED STEVENS--ALASKAN OF THE CENTURY

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I wish to say a couple of words about one 
of my oldest and best friends in the Senate, the senior Senator from 
Alaska, Mr. Stevens.
  Last week, Senator Stevens was named ``Alaskan of the Century.'' Most 
of us feel pretty fortunate if we get named for the day, or possibly 
for the week, and sometimes even the month in our States. He was named 
``Alaskan of the Century.''
  Well, my good friend, Ted Stevens, deserves that. He has a way about 
him, as we all know. He keeps me humble. I might talk about the 
hardships of a cold winter day in Vermont. But then I see his eyebrows 
go up when he explains to me that 40 degrees below zero is just 
beginning to get nippy--it gets to 75 below in Fairbanks. At that 
point, I know I am beat.
  Ted Stevens is a tireless legislator, a respected leader. He helped 
create the State of Alaska. How many of us could actually say something 
like that? He actually helped create a State with his tireless work and 
brought it into the Union. He did this having already served his 
country in so many ways. He was in the Air Force in World War II, 
served as a U.S. attorney in Fairbanks, and was also an Alaskan State 
representative. And this was on top of so many other things he has 
done. Today, of course, he serves with great distinction as one of the 
three most senior Members of the Senate and chairman of the Senate 
Appropriations Committee.
  Senator Stevens has consistently been a leader for our Nation's 
defense issues and has chaired the Senate Rules Committee, Governmental 
Affairs Committee, and Ethics Committee among others.
  Senator Stevens and I have served together for a long time. As 
members of the Appropriations Committee, both of us have worked to find 
economic opportunities for the rural communities that so many states, 
including our own, share. Ted and I have also worked together through 
some of this Nation's most challenging times. During the divisive days 
of the impeachment trial, Senator Stevens and I were chosen to fly to 
Jordan together as representatives of one, united Senate mourning the 
death of King Hussein.
  Senator Stevens is also a strong proponent of Title 9 and women's 
equality in sports. In fact, just this year he sponsored the Women in 
Sports Awards luncheon where Monica Seles was honored for her 
excellence on tennis courts throughout the world. I am sure that Ted, 
an avid tennis player, tried to set up a game with her himself.
  While he is unquestionably a great legislator, Senator Stevens is 
also a proud father of six children and has a beautiful wife, 
Catherine. Senator Stevens is an accomplished man with whom I am proud 
to serve in this United States Congress. Alaska, land of the aurora 
borealis and the Midnight Sun, has every reason to be proud of its 
senior Senator and this award shows Alaskans' gratitude and respect for 
his tireless work.
  Ted, congratulations on your well-deserved recognition as Alaskan of 
the Century.
  Ted and his wife, Catherine, have long been friends of myself and my 
wife, Marcelle. I consider him very much a member of the old school--
when he gives his word, that is it; go to the bank with it.
  I have seen several pieces of complex and important legislation go 
through this body because Ted Stevens gave his word they would go 
through--a word that he never broke with either Republican or Democrat. 
That is why Ted Stevens has gained so much respect.

                          ____________________