[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 88 (Monday, June 4, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6996-S7000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING SENATOR TED STEVENS

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, last August, Ted Stevens and Dan Inouye 
led a bipartisan group of Senators to China for a parliamentary visit. 
Dan, of course, was accorded great respect because of his winning the 
Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II. But it was Ted 
Stevens for whom the Chinese rolled out the red carpet. Ted had flown 
with the Flying Tigers. He flew the first plane to land in Beijing 
after World War II ended, and the top Chinese leaders had not 
forgotten. They made more time for our delegation than they had for any 
other recent group of American visitors.
  No one in our group, of course, was surprised to learn that Ted 
Stevens had flown risky missions and, for that bravery, earned the 
Distinguished Flying Cross. Ted still has the cockiness, adventuresome 
spirit and attitude that distinguish most pilots. And he has the love 
of country that permeates those who fought in World War II. We see both 
qualities every day in the Senate.
  For example, 2 years ago, when we were considering how to maneuver 
through five Senate committees legislation based on a National 
Academies report that would help America keeps its brainpower 
advantage, Ted was both unconcerned about committee prerogatives and 
impatient about getting the job done. ``Let's form a select 
committee,'' he said many times. ``You be the chairman of it.'' He said 
this even though he was then the most senior Republican in the Senate 
and I was nearly the most junior. The Senate never formed that select 
committee, but Ted made sure the legislation passed because he thought 
it was important for our country.
  I was Legislative Assistant to Senator Howard Baker in 1968 when Ted 
was appointed to the Senate. He hasn't changed much in all that time, 
even though he is now the longest serving Republican Senator. In his 
first year, he was pushing amendments that would help Alaska Natives 
maintain their fishing rights. This year, he is still busy working on 
legislation creating additional rights for Alaska Natives. And in the 
39 years between, he has snagged every dollar that comes within 50 feet 
for his Alaskan constituents--and some dollars that were farther away 
than that.
  Ted Stevens is, I would say, above all, an institutionalist in the 
United States Senate. In other words, he sees a unique role in our 
democracy for the Senate, and he is one of a handful here who is 
determined to respect that role and make it work.
  I suppose Ted will have opposition when he runs for reelection in 
2008. But, if he does, I wouldn't want to be that person. Last week, 
walking side by side with him to vote, I took the escalator when we got 
to the Capitol and Ted literally ran up the stairs, two at a time.
  It would be hard to identify a ``More Valuable Player'' in the U.S. 
Senate than Ted Stevens.
  Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I would like to honor a colleague and a 
good friend, Senator Ted Stevens, for becoming the longest serving 
Republican Member of the Senate. I am honored to serve in the Senate 
with this great Republican.
  Ted Stevens' career in public service began long before he became a 
U.S. Senator. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII, 
practiced law in Alaska, worked in the Eisenhower administration, and 
served in the Alaska House of Representatives where he eventually 
became majority leader. He became U.S. Senator in 1968 and has served 
the State of Alaska in the Senate for over 39 years. His longstanding 
public service career truly demonstrates his devotion to this country.
  Just like his famous Hulk tie, Ted has a bullish tenacity that has 
made him one of the most effective Members in the Senate. He is a 
stalwart representative for his State of Alaska. Representing a State 
over 4,000 miles from the Nation's Capital, Senator Stevens has 
sacrificed time with his six children and wife to serve in the Senate. 
Coming from a large family myself, I appreciate the strength and 
commitment his family has displayed over the years.
  During my trips to Alaska, I always leave impressed by the 
spectacular landscape and Ted Stevens' hard work in his State. His work 
has helped many Alaskan towns receive clean running water and has 
enabled many children to receive a quality education. His persistence 
in the Senate also has provided Alaska with oil pipelines, which have 
brought tremendous revenue to Alaska and provided our Nation with a 
safe, domestic energy source.
  Ted Stevens' work as a Senator has also gone beyond the borders of 
Alaska. During his 35-year tenure on the Appropriations Committee, he 
has tirelessly persevered to keep America ready and prepared. He has 
ensured our troops have the good equipment, training, and pay they 
deserve. His efforts

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have also ensured funds for military research on some of our Nation's 
most pressing diseases.
  I thank Senator Ted Stevens for his leadership and contributions to 
public service for the people of Alaska and all Americans. I honor him 
not only for his length of service but more importantly, his quality of 
service. I wish him and his loved ones the best of health for many 
years to come, and I congratulate him on his outstanding achievement.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, it is a great pleasure to offer my 
heartfelt congratulations to Senator Ted Stevens on becoming the 
longest serving Republican in Senate history. While this is a milestone 
to celebrate, the true cause for celebration is not Ted Stevens' 
decades of service to his party or to this Chamber but his lifetime of 
service to our Nation.
  It is a record of service that began long before Ted Stevens came to 
the Senate nearly four decades ago, long before his contributions in 
the Alaska Legislature in the earliest days of statehood, long before 
he helped establish our 49th State at the Department of the Interior 
during President Eisenhower's administration. At just 19 years of age, 
with his country under attack and freedom in jeopardy around the world, 
Ted Stevens joined the Army Air Corps in 1943, flying support missions 
for the legendary Flying Tigers. That courage to take the risks and 
that willingness to step forward to meet the challenges are the 
foundation of his character and of his service.
  I have been privileged to work alongside this Senator on the Homeland 
Security Committee. On every issue we confront, Ted Stevens 
demonstrates great knowledge and a total commitment to protecting our 
Nation and our people.
  Alaska and Maine are separated by a great many miles, but our two 
States have much in common, including spectacular scenery, and rugged, 
self-reliant people. Our States also share a connection to the sea that 
is central to our history and our future. From the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to his work to better 
protect marine mammals, Ted Stevens demonstrates again and again a deep 
commitment to the hard-working people who sustain countless coastal 
communities and an abiding respect for the natural resources that bless 
us all.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I would like to honor an esteemed colleague 
with whom I have had the privilege of serving in this body for the past 
9 years.
  As many others have already observed, Senator Stevens is an 
institution in Alaska, the Senate, and in the United States. Our 
President pro tempore, already the longest serving Republican in the 
Senate, served our Nation heroically in World War II and worked 
previously in the Justice and Interior Departments. In the latter 
position, Senator Stevens was an instrumental part of bringing 
statehood to Alaska--the State of Alaska literally is partly his 
creation.
  Senator Stevens and I share concerns about issues important to 
America but particular to the Pacific Northwest. Our States, with vast 
Federal land holdings, play a key role in energy resource exploration 
and development crucial to building viable and plentiful domestic 
energy supplies. We share views on ensuring local and State governments 
and communities have primacy in handling matters of direct impact on 
them. Both Idaho and Alaska are home to thriving indigenous 
populations, and we both work to ensure that they have their voices 
heard in Congress.
  Idaho and Alaska have other similar Pacific Northwest resource and 
environmental issues. Senator Stevens shares my care for and attention 
to these issues. He is an advocate for work to restore salmon fisheries 
and rural community development. I have had the pleasure to work with 
him on promoting the Pacific Northwest Salmon Recovery Fund and 
drinking water infrastructure needs for rural Alaska. He is a tireless 
defender of the interests of Alaskans and one of the greatest tourism 
promotion resources for the State.
  I have always appreciated Senator Stevens' strong voice and steady 
leadership in the Senate. He has demonstrated an unwavering commitment 
to our military and against terrorism. He understands the enemies we 
face here and abroad and has spent many decades standing strong for his 
convictions, relentlessly pursuing funding for a strong military to 
defend our country and our heritage of liberty and freedom.
  I admire Senator Stevens' strong history of bipartisanship 
highlighted by his long friendship with the senior Senator from Hawaii, 
Mr. Inouye. Their working and interpersonal relationship stands as a 
testament to what can be accomplished when we set party bickering aside 
and focus on our jobs to which we were elected--helping America remain 
the envy of the world.
  We share an alma mater, and I am pleased to call him a colleague in 
the Senate. I am proud to honor the Senior Senator from Alaska, in his 
39th year of public service as a Senator. Congratulations, and thank 
you for your service.
  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I wish to honor Senator Ted Stevens of 
Alaska for becoming the longest serving Republican Member in the 
history of the U.S. Senate. Senator Stevens is a true leader in the 
Senate. Whether he is making sure our soldiers have the best equipment 
in the field of battle or developing dynamic legislation to transform 
our Nation's communications laws, Senator Stevens has always been a man 
of action.
  Service to the United States and to his home State of Alaska has been 
Senator Stevens' lifelong mission. To put his dedication to our country 
in perspective, Senator Stevens has been a public servant for longer 
than I have been alive. At no stage of his career has he ever shied 
away from confronting the challenging issues of the day. In 1943, at 
the age of 19, he left college to answer the call of his country. 
Flying transport planes over the Himalayas in support of the Flying 
Tigers of the 14th Air Force, First Lieutenant Stevens proved himself 
as a leader. In recognition for his service and bravery, he was awarded 
several medals, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses.
  Following the war, Ted Stevens returned to college where he received 
degrees from UCLA and Harvard Law School. In 1953, he was appointed 
U.S. attorney for Fairbanks. Three years later, he moved to Washington, 
DC, to serve in the Department of the Interior for President 
Eisenhower. In 1964, Ted Stevens was elected to the Alaska House of 
Representatives, and during his second term in office, he became the 
majority leader. In 1968, he was appointed to fill Senator Bartlett's 
seat in the U.S. Senate. In 1972, he was elected to serve a full term 
in that seat, and, as we know, the rest is history.
  During the last 39 years, Senator Stevens has done more for the 
people of Alaska and the United States than most could fathom. Always 
willing to address challenging issues in a bipartisan fashion, Senator 
Stevens stands by his principles and does what he thinks is right 
regardless of which side of the aisle agrees with him. He led the 
charge for Alaska's statehood and has made remarkable contributions to 
the health and safety of the United States. As a testament to their 
belief in Ted Stevens' leadership, the people of Alaska have elected, 
and reelected, Senator Stevens--never by less than 67 percent of the 
vote in any election.
  When I came to Washington in 1994, it did not take me long to learn 
who Ted Stevens was and to admire him as a leader. When I joined the 
Senate 7 years ago, my admiration for Senator Stevens grew. Who 
couldn't admire a man who dons a Hulk tie when he prepares for large 
legislative battles? On a serious note, since 2001, Senator Stevens and 
I have worked closely on a number of important issues. For example, in 
2005 when Senator Stevens became chairman of the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation, he recognized the need to address how to 
maintain U.S. competitiveness in today's global economy. I was honored 
that he selected me to chair the Subcommittee on Technology, 
Innovation, and Competitiveness. Through the work of this subcommittee, 
Senator Stevens, myself, and others developed bipartisan legislation to 
maintain and improve our country's innovation in the 21st century. This 
legislation, the America COMPETES Act, recently passed the

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Senate by an overwhelming vote of 88 to 8. Senator Stevens' leadership 
on competitiveness legislation serves as a good reminder of how he has 
addressed important issues in a forward-thinking manner throughout his 
six decades of public service.
  Addressing the Nation's competitiveness is just one example of 
Senator Stevens' innovative thinking. When he became chairman of the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Stevens 
recognized that our communications laws were grossly outdated. Through 
a series of hearings, listening sessions, and a desire for bipartisan 
cooperation, Senator Stevens developed a bill that would have 
encouraged competition in the communications market and fostered an 
environment conducive to future innovation. Although this bill did not 
become law, I am proud to have worked with Senator Stevens on this 
important piece of legislation.
  I greatly admire Senator Stevens. He sets an example, for both 
Republicans and Democrats, of a successful Senator. He is a leader, a 
man of his word, and someone whom you know you can count on with 
nothing more than a handshake. I look forward to working with Senator 
Stevens for many years to come and would like to congratulate him for a 
lifetime of accomplishments.
  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, it is a pleasure to be a part of this 
celebration of Senator Ted Stevens's service in the Senate. For those 
of us who know him, it is more than taking a moment to congratulate him 
as he becomes the longest serving Republican Senator in the history of 
the Senate. It is an opportunity to acknowledge all he has done to 
stand up for the State of Alaska. It is also a chance to take note of 
the example he provides of leadership and the way he has always put the 
needs of the people of Alaska at the very top of his work agenda in the 
Senate. That is why, in 2000, Ted was named the Alaskan of the Century.
  Ted is a remarkable guy, and I don't think any Senator is more tied 
to the day-to-day life of the States we represent and the hearts of the 
people back home than he is. There are a lot of reasons for that, not 
the least of which is the certainty Alaskans have that the needs of 
their State are in good hands because Ted Stevens is championing their 
cause.
  Ted is one of our great environmentalists and it is a philosophy he 
puts into practice every day in thought, word, and deed. Whenever I 
think of him, I think of all he has done and continues to do to protect 
and preserve the natural beauty of Alaska. It is a wonderful State that 
I have been privileged to visit at Ted's invitation. I have always said 
that God saved some of his best handiwork for Wyoming. Having seen 
Alaska, I think he did a good job there too.
  If you ask me and those who have come to know him through the years, 
we will tell you that Ted is a man of action. He says what he means and 
he means what he says. He works hard for the things he believes in, and 
in the end, I don't think anyone is better at getting results. That is 
because Ted knows it is a lot more important to get things done than to 
get them said. You won't find him content to just give speeches. After 
all is said, and said with great force, Ted puts his time and effort 
where his mouth is as he rolls up his sleeves and gets to work.
  Ted not only knows and loves the terrain of Alaska, he loves showing 
it off too. That is why he puts so much of himself into promoting the 
Kenai Tournament. This great Alaskan tournament gives all who take part 
a chance to enjoy the fantastic fishing of Alaska, but it is also a 
great fundraiser that helps provide the funds that are needed to 
restore and improve the habitat of the salmon in Alaska.
  Here in the Senate, Ted has also worked quietly on many bills that 
were drafted to preserve wild salmon. Whether it is protecting his home 
State on the floor or promoting it here and back home, Ted Stevens is 
the voice of Alaska.
  Another thing Wyoming and Alaska share is our rural environment. Ted 
understands the unique needs of rural life better than any Senator I 
know, and he has been a tireless worker on transportation and 
communication issues. He worked hard to preserve universal service so 
people in both our States would have phone service at a reasonable 
rate. That effort meant a great deal not only to the people of our 
States but to those who live in other rural areas across the United 
States as well.
  As I have come to know Ted, I have developed a great appreciation for 
his ability to pick up on the nuances and details of the issues we take 
up on the Senate floor. He is a fast study, and he is not afraid of any 
issue, no matter how complicated and complex it is.
  Another thing we all think of whenever we think of Ted is that 
distinctive voice of his. His voice has the same power that his words 
bring to the debate, and it is that unique way of speaking of his that 
gets everyone's attention and usually their agreement too.
  Through his years in the Senate, Ted has compiled an incredible 
record for the people of his State. He has won the hearts of Alaskans, 
and on election day, people from all over the State make it a point to 
vote for him. He is not just their Senator, he is also a bit of a 
superhero, too.
  Speaking of superheroes, which are near and dear to Ted's heart, in 
the comics, whenever Dr. Banner faces a difficult challenge that 
requires superpowers, he turns into the Incredible Hulk. On the Senate 
floor, if the Incredible Hulk faced a challenge that required 
superpowers of persuasion and reason, he would probably turn into Ted 
Stevens.
  Congratulations, Ted. We are proud of the record you have established 
in the Senate. Thank you for your leadership, the unique strengths and 
abilities you bring to our work, and most of all, thank you for the 
gift of your friendship.
  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President. I am very pleased to help recognize 
Senator Ted Stevens as the longest-serving Republican in the history of 
the U.S. Senate. Senator Stevens has represented the Last Frontier for 
nearly 40 years, during which he has become one of the most respected 
lawmakers and gentlemen in Congress. For a large majority of his time 
in Congress, Senator Stevens served with my predecessor, the late 
Senator Strom Thurmond, the Senate's previous longest-serving 
Republican. Now that the record is broken, I am certain Senator 
Thurmond would be pleased to know his good friend, Ted Stevens, will 
carry on the great tradition of service to our Nation. I am honored to 
serve alongside Senator Stevens and congratulate him on this momentous 
occasion.
  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I wish today to congratulate Senator 
Ted Stevens on becoming the longest serving Republican Senator in U.S. 
history. Senator Stevens has served in the Senate for over 38 years, 
and this milestone is a lasting tribute to his outstanding record for 
the people of Alaska and for the people of America. On a personal note, 
I have always enjoyed working with Senator Stevens, and it has been a 
true privilege to collaborate with him on some of the most important 
issues facing our great Nation--including energy, healthcare, and 
national defense.
  Senator Stevens' service to the United States didn't begin when he 
stepped inside this Chamber; rather, his service began decades 
earlier--during some of the most harrowing days of World War II.
  Senator Stevens was part of the ``greatest generation'' who fought 
and won that global struggle for freedom--flying a C-47 in the China 
Burma India theater. Incredibly, over 1,000 of Senator Stevens' fellow 
airmen died ``flying the hump'' and elsewhere in the Chinese Burma 
India theater--a sobering reminder of the high price of freedom. For 
his heroic efforts, Senator Stevens later received two Distinguished 
Flying Crosses and two Air Medals, as well as the Yuan Hai medal 
awarded by the Republic of China.
  After the war, Senator Stevens completed his education at UCLA and 
Harvard Law School and then moved to Alaska, which was then a U.S. 
territory. In the city of Fairbanks, Senator Stevens practiced law for 
several years, until he came to Washington, DC, to serve in the 
Eisenhower administration and also to lobby for Alaska's admittance 
into the Union--a mission that succeeded in 1959.
  When Senator Stevens returned to Alaska, he ran for--and won--a seat 
in the Alaska House of Representatives

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and later became house majority leader. Then, in December 1968, 
Governor Walter J. Hickel appointed him to fill a vacancy in the U.S. 
Senate. In 1970, the voters of Alaska ratified that choice by electing 
Senator Stevens to finish that term in a special election and then 
reelecting him six more times, always by overwhelming margins.
  Senator Stevens' achievements are legendary in this Chamber--
including, but not limited to, chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, 
chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and President pro 
tempore of the U.S. Senate--putting him third in line for the 
Presidency from January 2003 to January 2007. For his many decades of 
service, Senator Stevens has received and accepted numerous honors--
including having the Anchorage International Airport named after him. 
Our entire country has been enriched and improved by his hard work, 
dedication, and leadership.
  I say this not as a distant observer but as an up-close witness to 
his achievements. Back in 1993, when I first arrived in the U.S. 
Senate, I was one of only seven female Senators, and if the Senate was 
a men's club, then the Appropriations Committee was its inner sanctum. 
There was not a single woman on the Defense Appropriations 
Subcommittee, but that is where I wanted to serve.
  I explained to Senator Stevens--who was then the ranking member of 
the committee--that Texas has more Army soldiers than any other State, 
more Air Force air men and women stationed in Texas than any other 
State, and our defense industry builds everything from fighter aircraft 
to Army trucks to artillery systems to sophisticated electronics 
equipment for the Pentagon. Therefore, it was absolutely essential that 
a Senator from Texas serve on that committee. After some careful 
thought, Senator Stevens agreed and welcomed me to the committee. Since 
that time, he has been a valuable mentor to me--not to mention a 
passionate advocate for Alaska and America.
  And when I say passion, I really do mean passion. Senator Stevens has 
been known to show dramatic performances on the Senate floor, keeping 
wandering eyes focused on the urgent issues that need to be addressed. 
One day, during a markup in the Senate Appropriations Committee, 
Senator Stevens, who chaired the committee at the time, grew very 
animated and laid down the law. When a frustrated senior Senator told 
Senator Stevens that ``there was no reason to lose your temper,'' 
Senator Stevens glared back and responded, ``I never lose my temper. I 
always know exactly where I left it.''
  But if Senator Stevens has a temper, he also has a compassionate 
heart. I will never forget when a group of protestors gathered outside 
of the Appropriations Committee conference to demand increased funding 
for breast cancer research.
  One particularly agitated advocate got in Senator Stevens' face and 
said, ``If men were dying of breast cancer, you wouldn't think twice 
about increasing the funding.'' Needless to say, those words made quite 
an impact on Senator Stevens but probably not what this advocate 
anticipated.
  When Senator Stevens walked back into the conference, he repeated the 
charge and then looked around at his mostly male colleagues. He knew 
that at least six of them suffered from prostate cancer. He also 
noticed that the bill they were considering didn't fund prostate cancer 
research. But thanks to the excellent suggestion of the woman in the 
hallway, he was going to advocate breast cancer research and prostate 
cancer research. Senator Stevens was determined to become a leader on 
these issues, and over time, that is certainly what he has become.
  For all of these reasons, and many more, it has been a true honor to 
serve with Senator Stevens. I congratulate him once again on becoming 
the longest serving Republican Senator in U.S. history. I look forward 
to serving with him for years to come.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, Senate colleagues of Senator Ted Stevens 
are grateful that a remarkable U.S. Senate historical landmark provides 
us an opportunity to honor one of the greatest Senators in history as 
he continues to supply vigorous and significant leadership for our 
country.
  We recognize, today, that Ted Stevens has served longer than any 
other Republican Party Senator, and that record for longevity of 
service will continue to mount with each new day of Senate history.
  I would like to believe that the early schooling of Ted Stevens at 
Public School No. 84 in Indianapolis was a strong foundation for his 
later success. I enjoyed School No. 84 for 2 years, a few years after 
Ted had progressed.
  Our lives came together again in 1976 when Ted chaired the National 
Republican Senatorial Committee and I was the Indiana Republican 
candidate against a three-term incumbent.
  Under Ted's leadership, Jack Danforth, John Heinz, Jack Schmitt, 
Malcolm Wallop, Sam Hayakawa, John Chafee, Orrin Hatch, and I were 
elected: a class of eight freshmen Republican Senators. The overall 
Senate count after the 1976 election was 61 Democrats, 38 Republicans, 
and Independent Senator Harry Byrd, thus highlighting Ted's recruitment 
achievement.
  But times changed, and Howard Baker became majority leader after the 
Republican majority was established in the 1980 election. When Howard 
retired 4 years later, five Republicans sought the majority leader 
position in an election procedure requiring the candidate with the 
lowest vote to retire after each ballot. Senators Jim McClure, Pete 
Domenici, and I retired in that order before Bob Dole, another Senate 
lion, defeated Ted Stevens in a close vote.
  All of us rejoiced when the GOP won a Senate majority again and 
Senator Stevens became President pro tempore of the Senate. In this 
role, he became even more vigorous in boosting the Senate's 
institutional role and in underlying the responsibilities of each 
Senator.
  Throughout his unfailing attention to overall Senate duties, Ted has 
been a Senator for Alaska on every day of every year. His legislative 
achievements that have boosted Alaska are legendary and continue during 
each appropriations cycle.
  Alaskans recognized Senator Stevens as the most prominent Alaskan of 
the 20th century in a poll taken in his State.
  He also led Alaskan and U.S. Senate attention to the interests Alaska 
and the United States have in the Pacific Ocean and in prominent 
Pacific rim countries such as China, Japan, and Russia.
  I have been privileged to attend Aspen Institute conferences with Ted 
and to participate in legislative meetings with Chinese delegates that 
he has organized in Washington.
  He has long been an advocate for health and physical fitness. This 
encourages his friends to observe that he has the opportunity to serve 
with us for many years to come.
  I thank my good friend, Senator Ted Stevens, for his personal 
thoughtfulness and for so many great experiences, together, during his 
recordbreaking tenure in the Senate. I look forward to many new 
opportunities to be with him and to work with him for the benefit of 
our country.
  Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise to honor a distinguished colleague, 
Senator Ted Stevens, who is celebrating a major milestone--today 
becoming the longest serving Republican in Senate history.
  Appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1968 and elected to finish out the 
term 2 years later, Stevens has since been reelected to the Senate six 
times, never receiving less than 67 percent of the vote in any 
election.
  During his 38 years in the U.S. Senate, Senator Stevens has been 
Chairman of four full committees and two select committees, assistant 
Republican whip, and the President Pro Tempore Emeritus.
  As one of the most effective Senators, Senator Stevens has been an 
ardent supporter of our national defense, serving as either chairman or 
ranking member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee since 1980. A 
champion of our Armed Forces, he has ensured that our servicemembers 
have the equipment, training, and pay necessary to be prepared to take 
on those who threaten our national security.
  Mr. President, I congratulate Senator Stevens on reaching this 
historic milestone today. I am honored to call Senator Ted Stevens my 
colleague but prouder to call him my friend.
  Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge a man who has

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dedicated almost 40 years of his life to the service of his 
constituency. Senator Ted Stevens was appointed to represent Alaska in 
the Senate in 1968 and has done so in a way that the citizens of his 
State have reelected him six times since. Senator Stevens is currently 
the longest-serving Senator in the history of our party and a steadfast 
representative for Alaskan conservative values.
  As a young man Senator Stevens served his country honorably during 
World War II. A member of the Flying Tigers of the Army Air Corps' 14th 
Air Force, he is also twice a recipient of the Distinguished Flying 
Cross for his heroism in aerial combat. Senator Stevens is in excellent 
company as the first recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross was 
Captain Charles A. Lindbergh, who also set a few records in his own 
time.
  I am especially thankful for the work Senator Stevens has done to 
help aid the people of Louisiana. Through his position as Chairman in 
the last Congress and currently Vice-Chairman of the Senate Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation Committee he has worked tirelessly on 
important legislation to our State. Especially noteworthy are the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization 
Act, which included provisions dedicated to the aid of the fishing 
industry in Louisiana following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and his 
essential support of legislation to get Louisiana its fair share of 
Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas revenues.
  It has been an extraordinary experience to work with as accomplished 
a legislator as Senator Stevens in my time in the Senate. I thank him 
for his service to the citizens of this great country.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about my long-time 
great friend, advisor, and colleague, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, 
who just became the longest serving Republican Senator in the 218 year 
history of the United States Senate.
  I have worked with Senator Stevens on a wide array of matters, but 
none more closely than national security and defense issues. Senator 
Stevens and Senator Inouye exemplify that extraordinary group of 
veterans, largely of World War II distinction and experience, that led 
the Senate I joined 28 years ago. They found the time to teach the new 
Senators, inspiring them to gain the experience to someday take their 
places of responsibility in the Senate. I owe a great deal of gratitude 
to that generation, and particularly to Ted.
  He has loyally served the men and women of the Armed Forces 
throughout his long Senate career, particularly through his leadership 
positions on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
  My good friend has compiled a remarkable record on national security, 
ranging from complex issues of global strategy all the way down to the 
very basic pay and quality of life issues for the men and women in 
uniform and their families. His own distinguished record in World War 
II as an aviator provides special insights into military matters.
  Military matters, however, are not the only field in which the senior 
Senator from Alaska has invested his time and passion. Senator Stevens 
has also fought hard to find ways to meet America's energy needs, 
offering the extraordinary resources of his own State to meet these 
demands. I think back time and time again when Senator Stevens has 
taken to the Senate floor urging his colleagues to fully address 
America's demand for energy. Dressed in his trademark ``Hulk'' tie, he 
was a sight to behold and quite a force to reckon with. If only 
Congress had listened to Mr. Stevens a decade or two ago, not just 
limited to Alaska issues, but towards a broad world view on energy, 
America might not be so dependent on foreign oil today.
  Senator Stevens truly loves Alaska. I remember one codel trip in 
particular. A few years back, Senator Stevens had escorted a small 
group of Senators, making stops along the way, up to Prudhoe Bay, one 
of the closest points to the Arctic. Senator Symms, our former 
colleague from Idaho, and I decided we had enough learning for the day. 
So, unwisely, we chose to play hookie and dashed from the group for an 
impromptu plunge in the frigid waters of Prudhoe Bay while the other 
Senators looked on in disbelief. We were quite a sight as we crawled 
ashore frozen to the bone.
  Despite this experience, I am proud to say that Senator Stevens 
hasn't held my rowdiness against me, as he has invited me back to 
Alaska over the years.
  Ted Stevens is not only a great champion for Alaska, American energy, 
and our Nation's armed forces, but he is also a champion of the Senate. 
One of the most lasting legacies he has had on this special body, and 
one of the legacies he has imparted on me, is his remarkable record of 
work with new senators from both sides of the aisle. Throughout many 
years, Senator Stevens has voluntarily stepped forward to counsel new 
colleagues about the history and intricacies of the legislative process 
in the Senate.
  I am particularly indebted to him for helping me. Therefore, Mr. 
President, it is my honor and privilege to today congratulate my good 
friend, Senator Ted Stevens, on becoming the longest serving Republican 
in the Senate. Carry on, dear friend.

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