Mike Enzi: “it is a pleasure to be a part of this celebration of Senator Ted Stevens's service in the Senate. For those of us who…”

“it is a pleasure to be a part of this celebration of Senator Ted Stevens's service in the Senate. For those of us who know him, it is more than taking a moment to congratulate him as he becomes the longest serving Republican Senator in the history of the Senate. It is an opportunity to acknowledge all he has done to stand up for the State of Alaska. It is also a chance to take note of the example he provides of leadership and the way he has always put the needs of the people of Alaska at the very top of his work agenda in the Senate. That is why, in 2000, Ted was named the Alaskan of the Century. Ted is a remarkable guy, and I don't think any Senator is more tied to the day-to-day life of the States we represent and the hearts of the people back home than he is. There are a lot of reasons for that, not the least of which is the certainty Alaskans have that the needs of their State are in good hands because Ted Stevens is championing their cause. Ted is one of our great environmentalists and it is a philosophy he puts into practice every day in thought, word, and deed. Whenever I think of him, I think of all he has done and continues to do to protect and preserve the natural beauty of Alaska. It is a wonderful State that I have been privileged to visit at Ted's invitation. I have always said that God saved some of his best handiwork for Wyoming. Having seen Alaska, I think he did a good job there too.”