Thomas Daschle: “let me say with enthusiasm how completely this Senator agrees with the statement made by the majority leader. Ted…”

“let me say with enthusiasm how completely this Senator agrees with the statement made by the majority leader. Ted Stevens is one who is admired, I say even loved, by colleagues on both sides of the aisle. We have worked with him; we have admired his work; we have seen on so many occasions he has effectively led not only the Appropriations Committee but the Senate itself in bringing together the kind of consensus, the kind of compromises, for successful legislative action. We all joke about his temperament. We sometimes say it is hard to understand how a guy from so cold a State could be so hot under the collar. I have to say, as Senator Lott has noted, he is quick to respond and quick to find ways with which to overcome his frustrations, as we all face them and deal with them on both sides of the aisle. Alaskans have every right to be proud. They have every reason to nominate and name this individual as Alaskan of the Year. Indeed, he is an Alaskan of the Century. We are proud to work with him, proud to call him a colleague, proud in this case to call him our chairman, and proud of the fact that Alaskans recognize him for the unique talents and the unique dedication and the unique leadership that he provides not only his State as an Alaskan, but his country as a Senator. I congratulate him on this special occasion. I yield the floor.”