[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 82 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2920-S2921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       REMEMBERING BILL WILLIAMS

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to Bill 
Williams of Saxman, AK, a businessman, community leader, an Alaska 
statesman, and my friend, who died on Sunday, May 12, just short of his 
76th birthday.
  Bill's story exemplifies how far one can go in Alaska if one works 
hard and exhibits a devotion for community service. Bill was lifelong 
Alaskan and a graduate of Ketchikan High School. He was a longshoreman, 
a proud member of the International Longshoremen and Warehousemen's 
Union. He was a business leader, serving as president of the Cape Fox 
Corporation, his ANCSA village corporation. He was a fisherman. He 
served on the Saxman City Council and was mayor of Saxman. Bill was a 
leader in the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Tlingit and Haida.
  In 1993, Bill was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives, 
serving until 2004. A strong advocate for development of Alaska's 
natural resources and preservation of the traditional subsistence way 
of life, Bill distinguished himself in the Alaska Legislature. He rose 
to cochair the finance committee of the Alaska House of 
Representatives, one of the most powerful positions in the State of 
Alaska. Bill knew how to make deals, and because his word was his bond, 
he knew how to keep a deal. I proudly served alongside Bill throughout 
my tenure in the Alaska Legislature. He was both a friend and a mentor 
to me.
  Tributes are pouring in from those who knew and loved Bill Williams. 
State Senator Bert Stedman, who is cochair of the senate finance 
committee in the current legislative session, had this to say about 
Bill: ``He understood that political differences don't need to divide 
Alaskans. In the Capitol, he was known for keeping his words and 
putting Alaska's interests above politics. He took the lead on both 
subsistence and development issues. He was known for working with our 
federal delegation and governors to keep jobs in the Tongass. He was a 
strong voice on Alaska Native issues.''
  The Ketchikan Daily News, in an editorial, remembered Bill as an 
honorable man who represented the community and the region with quiet, 
steadfast dignity: ``Those who met Williams would not likely forget 
him. He was quiet and humble, possessing eyes of both twinkling good 
humor and the glint of iron resolve. Others in public life learned 
quickly not to underestimate the good representative from Saxman.''
  Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has also reflected on the loss of Bill 
Williams this week. Governor Dunleavy said, ``Real leaders do not come 
along very often, so it is especially tough when we lose one with the 
ability and character of Bill Williams. He worked both hard and smart 
for the constituents and communities he represented.'' Governor 
Dunleavy has ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff this week in 
Bill's memory.
  From the central council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes, ``Gunalcheesh, 
Haw'aa to Bill for his lifelong dedication to Southeast Alaska and its 
people.''

[[Page S2921]]

  On behalf of my colleagues here in the U.S. Senate, I extend my 
condolences to Bill's wife Caryl, his family, the Saxman community, and 
all who hold this very special Alaskan dear in their hearts. It is a 
privilege to honor the late Bill Williams, an outstanding Alaskan, in 
the U.S. Senate today.

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