Thad Cochran: “I am pleased to be here to hear the remarks of the distinguished Senator from West Virginia, my good friend, and to join…”

“I am pleased to be here to hear the remarks of the distinguished Senator from West Virginia, my good friend, and to join with others who have honored and paid tribute to Senator Stevens on the occasion of his reaching a milestone where he has served in the Senate longer than any other Republican Member in history. I had the privilege, when I was a new Member of the House of Representatives after my election in 1972, to observe Senator Stevens as he worked with Howard Baker as the Republican leaders of the Senate and to come to respect him and know him and then to join the Senate body after the election of 1978. He has been a mentor and a dear friend throughout my career in the Senate, and I can say one could have no greater fortune than to serve in the presence of Senator Byrd and Senator Stevens and others who were the true leaders of the Senate when I was a new Member. I have come to appreciate and respect them more as time has gone on. I recall Senator Stevens becoming chairman, after Senator Byrd had served as chairman, of the Appropriations Committee. It was my good fortune to become a member of that committee after only 2 years in the Senate. I have appreciated the opportunity to work closely with him ever since. Senator Stevens, of course, was our President pro tempore. I don't recall a more diligent and hard-working President pro tempore than was Senator Stevens.”