[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 39 (Thursday, March 22, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               CLIFF TARO

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr President, a few weeks ago I went home to 
Ketchikan, AK. It was the first time since I became a U.S. Senator, 20 
years ago, that my good friend Cliff Taro was not there to meet me. He 
was an exceptional man and embodied the true Alaskan pioneer spirit. 
Earlier this year, Cliff died. I truly miss him.
  Cliff first came to Alaska in 1943, as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army 
Transports Corps. He was stationed at Excursion Inlet near Juneau. This 
was a sub port to supply the war in the Aleutians, and was where Cliff 
received first hand experience and an interest in stevedoring, his 
future occupation. After 4 years in the Army, where he advanced to the 
rank of captain, he went to work for Everett Stevedoring in 1946. He 
married his wife Nan on August 21, 1949 in Bellingham Washington and in 
1952, Cliff, Nan and their two children, Jim and Debbie, moved to 
Ketchikan and started Southeast Stevedoring Corporation.
  Cliff's accomplishments, interests and awards are abundant. He was a 
member of the Marine Section of the National Safety council for more 
than 25 years, as well as serving on the Board of Governors of the 
National Maritime Safety Association. Cliff was a member of the Alaska 
State Chamber of Commerce for 40 years, served on its board of 
directors for seven years, and was both vice president and president of 
the Chamber. Additionally, he was a charter member of Alaska Nippon 
Kai, a Japanese trade arm of the Alaska Chamber of Commerce. He was a 
member of the Korean Business Council and co-founder and treasurer of 
Ketchikan's Save Our Community. Cliff represented Alaska on the Seattle 
Mayor's Maritime Advisory Committee and had been trustee and member of 
the Alaska Council on Economic Education.
  Cliff was a member of Governor Keith Miller's Task Force to 
Washington, D.C. to successfully lobby for the Alaska Pipeline. He 
accepted an invitation by President Jimmy Carter and Governor Jay 
Hammond to participate in a seminar on Foreign Trade and Export 
Development. Cliff traveled, with me, and other members of the Alaska 
State Chamber of Commerce, Native leaders and State of Alaska officials 
to England, Scotland, the Orkney Islands and Norway to survey and 
observe the effect of off shore drilling on their communities and how 
this might similarly affect Alaskan communities.
  Cliff served as the Southeast Finance Chairman for my reelection to 
the U.S. Senate. He was a life member of the Pioneers of Alaska, member 
of the B.P.O. Elks, American Legion, Theta Chi Fraternity, National 
Association of Independent Businessmen, National Association of 
Stevedores and a 45-year member of the Rotary Club as well as a Paul 
Harris Fellow.
  In 1985, Cliff was awarded the Outstanding Alaskan Award by the 
Alaska State Chamber of Commerce. In 1989 he was awarded an Honorary 
degree of Doctor of Humanities from the University of Alaska Southeast. 
In January 1992 he was elected to the Alaska Business Hall of Fame. He 
was the 2000 Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, and 
Nancy and I were proud to be able to present him and Nan with this 
tribute.
  Cliff was a supporter of little league and could often be found at 
the ball park or Ketchikan High games cheering on his grandchildren.
  Cliff's death followed the earlier passing of his wife Nan. Survivors 
include their son Jim, and their daughter and son in-law Debbie and Bob 
Berto. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Jennie, Ethan, Brian, 
and Anna.
  Cliff was my friend. He will be missed by all Alaskans.

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