[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       TRIBUTE TO BILL SHEFFIELD

 Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, along with Senator Murkowski and 
Alaska Congressman Don Young, we rise to congratulate and pay special 
tribute to a great, hard-working, and inspiring Alaskan, the Honorable 
Bill Sheffield, former Governor of Alaska, upon the occasion of his 
receiving an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the University 
of Alaska. On Sunday, December 13, 2020, the University of Alaska 
Anchorage awarded Governor Bill Sheffield this special degree at its 
fall commencement ceremonies.
  Born in Spokane, WA, and raised in the Seattle area, Governor 
Sheffield served in the U.S. Air Force, worked as a sales and service 
rep for Sears Roebuck, and was transferred by Sears to Alaska in 1953. 
He went into the hospitality business, establishing the Anchorage Inn. 
Bill bought out his business partner, expanded his hotel holdings, and 
grew his hotel empire to 19 properties in Alaska and the Yukon.
  He was elected the fifth Governor of our State in 1982. During his 
tenure, he oversaw massive infrastructure projects, including roads and 
water systems. He pushed through a bill that consolidated the State's 
four time zones into two and is responsible for creating Alaska 
Standard and Alaska Daylight Time. Governor Bill was instrumental in 
the purchase of the Alaska Railroad by the State from the Federal 
Government and commissioned the construction of Spring Creek 
Correctional Facility in Seward. His accomplishments are many and his 
love of Alaska and his kindness, warmth, and generosity to its people 
are widely known.
  The Governor is 92 and going strong. Governor Sheffield's story in 
Alaska embodies what many of us love about our great State. It doesn't 
matter where you come from or your social status. In Alaska, if you 
have grit, tenacity, determination, and a servant's heart, nothing can 
hold you back. As the 117th Congress begins, we want to say 
Congratulations, Governor Sheffield, upon the occasion of your much-
deserved honorary doctorate. 

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