    [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 10, 2018)]
    [Senate]
    [Page S137]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                             ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                            REMEMBERING CLIFF EVERTS

     Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to
    remember and pay tribute to a pioneer of Alaska aviation, Cliff Everts,
    who passed away in December at the age of 95. One of the greatest
    compliments you can pay to a longtime Alaskan is to refer to that
    individual as a pioneer. Yes, Cliff was a pioneer, but that understates
    the reverence with which he is held in Alaska's aviation community. He
    is indeed an icon of Alaska aviation.
      Place yourself in a remote Alaskan village in the dead of winter. The
    outdoor temperature is minus 25 degrees, and the village is running
    short of fuel. Imagine the sound of a fuel plane landing on your
    village's gravel runway, delivering thousands of gallons of fuel needed
    to sustain daily life in the bush and power remote work sites.
    Deliveries such as this make life in rural Alaska possible. This is the
    legacy of Cliff Everts.
      Originally born in New York, Cliff's passion for flying began at a
    young age. He took his first flight at 12 years old. As a teenager, he
    delivered newspapers to pay for his flying lessons. Cliff trained on a
    Taylorcraft, a high-winged, two-seater aircraft, and was soloing within
    just 6 months.
      Later Cliff joined the Civilian Pilot Training Program, supporting
    wartime efforts during World War II. It was not long thereafter that he
    made the decision to leave New York, to accept a position flying as a
    copilot for Alaska Star Airlines in Anchorage. Alaska Star Airlines was
    a predecessor of today's Alaska Airlines.
      Having grown to love Alaska, Everts embraced the pioneer spirit and
    accepted another position flying for Wien Airlines in Fairbanks. He
    continued to fly for Wien Airlines for 35 years, logging over 30,000
    hours of flight time. His flights carried mail, cargo, and passengers
    throughout the entire State.
      While Cliff Everts was a pilot by trade, he was also a very savvy
    entrepreneur and was well known for his many business ventures, but he
    is best known for Everts Air Fuel. Cliff started this business in the
    1980s flying a C-46. The C-46 is a World War II era high-altitude,
    multiengine aircraft. He quickly built the fleet, running his business
    on the philosophy that providing for the unique needs of Alaskans can
    be done both efficiently and affordably by Alaskans.
      Cliff's son, Robert, began his own aviation business called Everts
    Air Cargo. Between Everts Air Cargo and Everts Air Fuel, the pair owned
    21 airplanes. I understand that there are six C-46 aircraft remaining
    in revenue service. The Everts enterprises fly four of the six, and
    that is a testament to how well they treat their equipment. They are
    also known for treating their people exceptionally well.
      Alaska was good to Cliff Everts. Cliff was great to Alaska. In
    recognition of his achievements, Cliff amassed numerous awards and
    recognitions. In 2007, Cliff received the Federal Aviation
    Administration's Master Pilot Award. In 2011, the general aviation side
    of Fairbanks International Airport, what we call ``East Ramp,'' was
    dedicated in Cliff's honor. In 2012, the Alaska Air Carriers
    Association designated Cliff as an ``Aviation Legend.'' Cliff was also
    inducted into the Alaska Aviation Hall of Fame. He holds the Alaska
    Aviation Entrepreneur Award. All appropriate recognition for a man best
    known for these words, ``Flying has been my life, and I can't see joy
    in doing anything else.''
      On Saturday, January 13, Alaskans from all walks of life will come
    together in Fairbanks to celebrate the life of Cliff Everts. Cliff's
    friends and admirers will be joined by his wife Betty and their large
    family. On behalf of my Senate colleagues, let me take this opportunity
    to share our condolences with Betty and the family and to thank Cliff
    Everts for his outstanding life of service to aviation and
    Alaska.

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