[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 24, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING MORT PLUMB

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, the Ted Stevens Anchorage 
International Airport is buzzing with activity all year long. It 
connects our military posted in Alaska with their families in the Lower 
48, welcomes business visitors from around the world, and takes 
Alaskans to the Lower 48 for a weekend of cheering the Seahawks in 
Seattle, a shopping trip, or simply a break from the Alaskan winter.
  The Anchorage airport is the truly a crossroads for our friends in 
rural Alaska coming and going from meetings and medical appointments in 
Anchorage. Its gates are places where Alaskans congregate--catching up 
with old friends or connecting with State legislators and an occasional 
U.S. Senator.
  Look to the left as your plane pulls into the gate, and you see cargo 
planes from around the world. The Ted Stevens Anchorage International 
Airport is our State's premier transportation hub, a cargo hub of 
global renown.
  For most of my adult life, the Anchorage airport was a pretty 
utilitarian place. The walls were tan, the gate and baggage claim signs 
had white lettering on a blue background. If you were picking up a 
rental car, you rolled your bag through the snow because most were 
parked outside. The return lot was outside too. But it worked. It was a 
place to come and go, not a place to linger.
  Mort Plumb had another vision. He foresaw the boom in tourism that 
would come to Alaska and believed that our State needed a gateway 
airport as beautiful and inspiring as the State itself. Mort was the 
father of today's Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. A 
showplace for Native arts and crafts with huge picture windows and 
vistas of the Chugach mountain range that cause our visitors to wonder 
whether they really want to leave this unique place, a portal to the 
Great Land.
  Mort's vision has paid off; 2018 could be a record year for tourism 
in Alaska, and seat capacity on out-of-state flights this year is up 
5.6 percent. That translates into the opportunity for an additional 
43,000 visitors to enjoy what Alaska has to offer.
  Sadly, in February, Mort passed away at the age of 74. Born in 
Pennsylvania, he came to Alaska like many of our finest do: in the 
service of our country. He served 27 years in the Air Force, and we are 
indeed grateful that the Air Force chose to send Mort and his family to 
Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage. As a colonel, Mort served as 
director of operations for the Alaskan Command, chief of staff for the 
11th Air Force, and vice commander for the 11th Air Force. He retired 
from the Air Force in 1994.
  Mort's retirement didn't last long, as he was quickly recruited by 
Governor Tony Knowles to direct the Ted Stevens Anchorage International 
Airport. He took that job in 1995 and remained until 2008. All told, he 
served under three Governors: Democrat Knowles and Republicans Frank 
Murkowski and Sarah Palin. Mort Plumb served with great distinction.
  After retiring from the airport, Mort was hardly done with his 
career. He took on new responsibilities as chief operating officer of 
the First National Bank of Alaska and continued to serve on a host of 
nonprofit boards. One of his favorites was the Fisher House of Alaska, 
which cares for military family caregivers and veterans in town for 
medical appointments. Mort was active in the civilian and military 
community and was also an avid runner, golfer, and skier. He was a 
devoted husband, attending most every community event with his wife, 
Ann, by his side. He was also a loving father and doting grandfather.
  To his family and friends, know that the legacy and service of Mort 
Plumb will long be remembered. We appreciate our friend Mort, and we 
miss him.

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