HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2010-49d[, f
KENAI, ALASKA
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2010 -49
Suggested by: Kenai City Council
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, HONORING AND
REMEMBERING SENATOR TED STEVENS.
WHEREAS, Theodore "Ted" Stevens, who began serving in the United States Senate nine years
after Alaska was admitted to Statehood, represented the people of the State of Alaska with
distinction in the Senate for over 40 years, from 1968 to 2009 and played a significant role in
the transformation of the State of Alaska from an impoverished territory to a full- fledged State
through the assistance he provided in building energy facilities, hospitals and clinics, roads,
docks, airports, water and sewer facilities, schools, and other community facilities in. the State
of Alaska, which earned him recognition as "Alaskan of the Century" from the Alaska
Legislature in 2000; and,
WHEREAS, Ted Stevens distinguished himself as a transport pilot during World War II in
support of the "Flying Tigers" of the United States Army Air Corps, 4th Air Force, earning two
Distinguished Flying Crosses and other decorations for his skill and bravery; and,
WHEREAS, Ted Stevens, after serving as a United States Attorney in the territory of Alaska,
went to Washington, DC in 1956 to serve in the Eisenhower Administration in the Department
of the Interior, where he was a leading force in securing the legislation that led to the
admission of Alaska as the 49'' State on January 3, 1959, and then as Solicitor of the
Department of the Interior; and,
WHEREAS, in 1961, Ted Stevens returned to the State of Alaska and, in 1964, was elected to
the Alaska House of Representatives, where he was subsequently elected as Speaker pro
tempore and majority leader until his appointment on December 24, 1.968, to the United States
Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator E. L. Bartlett; and,
WHEREAS, Ted Stevens, the longest- serving Republican Senator in the history of the Senate,
served as President pro tempore of the Senate from 2003 through 2007 and as President pro
tempore emeritus from 2008 to 2009, and over the course of his career in the Senate, Senator
Stevens served as assistant Republican leader, Chairman of the select Committee on Ethics,
Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration, Chairman of the Committee on
Governmental Affairs, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, and Chairman of the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and,
WHEREAS, working tirelessly for the citizens of the United States, Ted Stevens helped to
establish the spectrum auction policy; negotiated the Telecommunications Act of 1996;
authored the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005; and passionately
advocated for the connection of rural America to the rest of the world and to improve the lives
of the people of the United States through the use of telemedicine and distance learning; and,
WHEREAS, as a conservationist, Ted Stevens championed the safe development of the natural
resources of the United States through his authorship of the Trans Alaska Pipeline
Authorization Act; the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; the
Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006; and
the High Seas Driftnet Fisheries Enforcement Act; and,
WHEREAS, committed to health and fitness, Senator Stevens authored the Ted Stevens
Amateur and Olympic Sports Act; encouraged provision of equality to female athletes through
Resolution No. 2010 -49
Page 2 of 2
the enactment of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and improved physical
education programs in schools through the Carol M. White Physical Education Program; and,
WHEREAS, Senator Stevens unconditionally supported the needs of the Armed Forces of the
United States through visits to United States service men and women in every major military
conflict and war zone where United States military personnel were assigned, including
Vietnam, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, and through his role as Chairman and
Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations for more than 20 years; and,
WHEREAS, always doing what was "best for Alaska," Senator Stevens worked tirelessly for the
enactment of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and defended, advocated, supported and
countless times, provided funding for important local projects to the communities of Alaska
which offered sustainable jobs, continued health and safety, and training,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA,
for the years of dedication, the strength of will, and constant vigilance for the betterment of the
United States, Alaska, and the City of Kenai, we thank, salute, and will be forever grateful to
our "Uncle Ted."
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 18th day of August, 2010. *4)
arquis, Council Member
ATTEST:
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
oy, Council Member
oore, Council Member