[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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