Kevin Roberts: “today I wish to pay tribute to my dear friend and colleague, the former senator from Alaska, Ted Stevens. He was an…”

“today I wish to pay tribute to my dear friend and colleague, the former senator from Alaska, Ted Stevens. He was an incomparable and one of kind senator. With Ted, they broke the mold. To me, he was my friend, mentor, and a person that comes along your pathway of life who changes everything. In all my years in the House, I seldom sheathed my sword with appropriators who were always rustling our mandatory and authorized money. Our cause was just, but seldom successful. It did not take Ted and Danny Inouye long to convince me not only to sheath my sword but give it to them. I had been in the Senate for just a few months when Ted cornered me on the Senate floor, jabbed me in my shoulder and said, ``You're coming with me to North Korea. Don't argue with me, Dole says you are Mr. Agriculture. You don't have to say anything, just nod your head.'' He was trying to arrange a third-party grain sale to alleviate constant famines in North Korea. He and Danny almost pulled it off. If you wanted to get things done, it was a good idea to listen to Uncle Ted. His advice: ``Get to really know people. Don't pay attention to partisan diatribes, socialize and gain their trust.'' By following his advice, it is amazing what you can get done. I still apply those lessons today; it works: 87 votes for a farm bill that the President just signed last year.…”