[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S7733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING SENATOR TED STEVENS

  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I offer my condolences to Catherine Stevens 
and to the entire family of Senator Ted Stevens and to the families of 
those who also lost their lives in that tragic August 9 accident.
  I knew Ted for many years and will always remember his devotion to 
the U.S. Senate and, of course, to the State of Alaska. Ted tirelessly 
committed himself to help transform Alaska into a modern State. Even if 
he had not become the longest serving Republican Senator in history, 
with a career spanning over 38 years, ``Uncle Ted'' would still have 
become an Alaskan legend. He was beloved throughout the State. And his 
love for his State was well known, from the largest cities to the 
smallest towns.
  Ted devoted his whole life to public service. Before he was elected 
to Congress, Ted went through pilot training in Douglas, AZ, and earned 
his Army Air Corps wings in May 1944. For his service in World War II, 
he received the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
  Incidentally, Ted often told me of his appreciation for the time he 
spent training in Arizona, my home State. He often spoke, too, of the 
town of Wickenburg, AZ, where his wife is from.
  During his time in the Senate, Ted became a master of Senate 
procedure. Republicans would often ask him to sit in the Presiding 
Officer's chair during an important vote because we knew he would 
handle all of the procedural details and intricacies perfectly.
  Not only was he a good legislator, he was a tough legislator. Ted was 
not shy about inviting comparisons with the Incredible Hulk. When he 
debated an issue that meant a lot to him, he would wear his Incredible 
Hulk necktie. Indeed, that necktie saw many a political battle.
  As much as I admired Ted for his tough side, I will most fondly 
recall his gentle spirit and his compassion for the people he was so 
proud to represent. His soft side and kind nature were so apparent I 
sometimes wondered how much of his feistier side was for effect.
  It was an honor to have known him and a privilege to have served 
alongside him here in the Senate.
  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
the memory of a dedicated public servant and leader, Senator Ted 
Stevens. After a lifetime of unprecedented service to his State and 
Nation, Senator Stevens passed away in Alaska on August 9, 2010, at the 
age of 86. His death was a loss to the U.S. Senate, the State of 
Alaska, and the Nation.
  A decorated World War II pilot who survived a deadly 1978 plane 
crash, Senator Stevens was the longest-serving Republican Senator in 
the Nation's history and Alaska's most beloved political figure. Known 
as a giant in the Senate and affectionately referred to as ``Uncle 
Ted'' by his constituents, Stevens helped usher Alaska into statehood 
in 1959 and was instrumental in its economic growth. He was first and 
foremost a devoted advocate of Alaska and its people.
  Born in Indianapolis, IN, Senator Stevens attended Oregon State 
University before serving as an Air Force pilot in World War II. He 
went on to graduate from the University of California Los Angeles--
UCLA--with a bachelor of arts degree in political science, and from 
Harvard University with a juris doctor degree in law. After a 
successful career as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives, 
Stevens was appointed to the U.S. Senate, making him the third Senator 
in the State's history.
  Senator Stevens is greatly admired for what he did during his four 
decades of service in the U.S. Senate. I had the pleasure of seeing the 
Senator in action on many occasions and particularly admired his deep 
commitment to working across the aisle to get things done. Senator 
Stevens was one of the Senate's most effective Members, both as a 
valuable ally and worthy opponent. Stevens' colleagues, both 
Republicans and Democrats alike, greatly enjoyed working with him and 
respected his views. We can all learn from the example he set.
  I ask that the U.S. Senate join me in commemorating Senator Ted 
Stevens' lifelong dedication to the service of our country and to the 
State of Alaska. He was a courageous advocate for his State, and a dear 
friend who will be greatly missed by all.

                          ____________________