[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14374-14375]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SENATOR TED STEVENS

  Mr. BOND. Madam President, in April, Ted Stevens became the longest 
serving Republican Member of the United States Senate in our country's 
230-year history. I join my colleagues in congratulating the Senator 
and thanking him for his many years of service and our friendship.
  Much has already been said about Senator Stevens' sometimes grouchy 
and intimidating demeanor. But if we look past the hulk ties, the 
scowling countenance, the vigorous defense of any and all attacks on 
Alaskan priorities, and the cowed staff who fear that they have fallen 
on the wrong side of our esteemed senior Senator, we see another, more 
compassionate side.
  When I first arrived in Washington, DC, in 1987, my son was entering 
first grade at the same time as Ted's beloved daughter. Sam and Lily 
became fast friends, and so did their parents.
  Ted and Catherine were very close friends of ours and like godparents 
to Sam. Anyone who knows Ted well knows how important his family is and 
the high value he places on his children and their friends. He is truly 
a most kind, gentle, and readily approachable father, uncle, and 
godfather.
  His concern about others' children and family members is equally 
heartfelt. As he exercises his many leadership roles, Senator Stevens 
is always willing to take our family obligations into account. He 
realizes how important it is to schedule time for our families in the 
chaotic, hectic life we lead in the United States Senate.
  In addition to the close personal friendship we have enjoyed with the 
Stevens family, I have had the opportunity to work closely with 
Chairman Stevens as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
  As chairman, Ted is solicitous of the concerns of even his most 
junior members. He is also a devoted friend of his partner--sometimes 
ranking member and sometimes chairman--Senator Dan Inouye.
  While there is never any doubt that he and Senator Inouye control the 
Defense Appropriations call, Senator Stevens is sensitive and receptive 
to the needs of other Members to the greatest extent possible.
  He is a very passionate defender of the Appropriations Committee, its 
prerogatives, and its responsibilities. Woe unto the person who attacks 
the appropriations process or the work that he does. One soon learns 
that such a position is not one to be taken lightly. One had better be 
prepared for a bruising fight.
  As President pro tempore, he was a faithful and dedicated leader of 
the Senate. Now that he is--temporarily--out of that position, he 
continues a close working relationship with his good friend and 
colleague Senator Robert C. Byrd, the current President pro tem.
  It is, indeed, an honor to have him as our leading senior Republican 
in the Senate.
  The Senator's influence extends far beyond the Senate to Alaska, the 
Nation and the world.
  Many of the accomplishments of the Senate over the last 4 decades 
bear the mark of Ted Stevens. He has been tireless in his leadership to 
secure a strong military--and has funded a strong personnel system, the 
most needed, up-to-date equipment and the most promising research. The 
current strength and superiority of the U.S. Armed Forces is due in no 
small part to Senator Stevens.
  He has also been a leader in the natural resources, transportation 
issues, and climate change issues important to all of America but that 
particularly affect his home state.
  Ted is passionate about Alaska--its natural beauty, its people, its 
needs and its fishing. Many of us have enjoyed traveling to Alaska with 
Senator Stevens and discovering first-hand the treasures it has to 
offer.
  The many roads, parks and buildings named for him are but a hint of 
all he has done for the State. His contributions are extensive and 
lasting, from improving the infrastructure to safeguarding the wildlife 
and natural resources Alaska has in abundance.
  Alaskans rightly dubbed the Senator the ``Alaska of the Twentieth 
Century.'' I am sure Senator Stevens would remind us that he is not 
done yet. Odds are he is a favorite to be ``Alaskan of the Twenty-first 
Century'' as well.
  It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve with Ted 
Stevens. I look forward to many more years of working together.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Madam President, I wish to acknowledge an esteemed 
colleague and his long and storied service to the United States Senate. 
Senator Ted Stevens has given much to this great country of ours. Born 
in Indiana, he spent his college years in the West, his law school 
years in the East, and made significant contributions in a

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place far north of here. Yet he achieved much of this by heading south, 
to our Nation's Capital. His career reflects his dedication not only to 
Alaska but to all of America. He has touched every corner of this 
country--and beyond. Fighting in China during World War II, he served 
our Nation valiantly as a member of the Army Air Corps where he flew 
support missions for the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force. Now, more 
than six decades later, he is still serving our country.
  Following work as an attorney in Alaska in the 1950s, Ted Stevens 
headed for Washington to work for the Department of Interior under the 
administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It is worth noting 
that it was President Eisenhower who signed Alaska into statehood in 
July of 1958. Not too long after Alaska found statehood, he decided to 
return to the home he had made in the Last Frontier. Soon, he was 
serving in the State house of representatives--a body of which he 
became the majority leader in 1964. While he may have initially found 
his way to the U.S. Senate by virtue of appointment in 1968, he soon 
had the weight of his State's voters behind him.
  Now serving his seventh term in office, Senator Stevens has been a 
reliable supporter of his home State's interests and has supported our 
country in many of its most trying times. The institutional knowledge 
and wisdom which Senator Stevens brings to the Senate benefits this 
body greatly. All of us appreciate his work and contributions to 
America. Be it as the former chairman of the Commerce Committee, the 
former chairman of the Appropriations Committee, a strong voice and 
dedicated member of the Homeland Security Committeeor for his work on 
the Rules Committee--we thank him for his leadership, past and present.
  Congratulations to Senator Stevens on becoming the longest serving 
Republican in Senate history. His more than 14,000 days in this body 
are a remarkable testament to his hard work, staying power, and skills 
as a Senator. I know the people of Alaska appreciate all that he has 
done for them over these numerous decades. On behalf of my fellow 
Floridians, I thank Senator Stevens for his service to America and to 
the Senate.

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