Political Quotes

“I will take the opportunity, as the junior Senator from Alaska, to make a few comments relative to the designation by Alaskans of Senator Ted Stevens, Alaskan of the Century. For years we have been proclaiming the Alaskan of the Year. This is an extraordinary designation to honor an extraordinary individual. When I first came to the Senate in 1980, as a freshman with virtually no experience in the legislative process, I had an opportunity to have an extended discussion with Senator Stevens. He suggested the best position for the State of Alaska would be for him to give up his position, his longstanding seniority on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, so I could serve on that committee, and he vacated that spot. He could be not only the chairman of the Appropriations Committee but senior member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and could be chairman if he so chose. But he chose to leave that committee and make an opening available to me. But it was a sacrifice for him. It was a sacrifice he made on the basis of what was good for Alaska.”