Political Quotes

“Mr. President, it is following these sad and difficult comments that I continue my remarks this afternoon to pay tribute to a truly great Alaskan leader who lived a full and strong life. Today I rise to honor the life of Edward Itta of Utqiagvik, AK, formerly known as Barrow. Mr. Itta passed away on November 6 after a very courageous battle with cancer. It is hard for me to even share comments about Mr. Itta's life-- Edward's life--because he lived a life that was so remarkably full. As I look to the comments that I have prepared, it just doesn't seem appropriate to recognize Edward, using the formality we have here in the Senate, with just words. Edward Itta was a visionary leader in our State. In many ways, like many Alaska Natives, he lived in two worlds--the traditional world of an Inupiaq whaling captain, as well as the past president of the association and vice chairman of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission. I came to know Edward through his life as a whaling captain and how he helped to translate that into this modern world because he was very much a part of the modern world of business, government, and politics. Edward Itta is probably best known for the two terms he served as mayor of the North Slope Borough, which is where many of us in Washington, DC, our Nation's Capital, came to know of and learn about Edward Itta and his leadership. He, as mayor, created the Healthy Communities Initiative to promote community-based activities.…”