The Hill News

Lawmakers in both parties have begun to respond to the death of former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who was killed in a plane crash Tuesday.

We will post all reactions here, and update as they roll in.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele said:

“It is with deep regret that I learned of former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens’ tragic death in last night’s plane crash in Alaska. Our sympathies go out to the Stevens family and all who have lost a loved one. Senator Stevens had a long and active career serving the people of Alaska in the United States Senate and was revered for his unparalleled effectiveness at fighting for his home state interests. He was a colleague and friend to many in the Senate but he was a champion for the people of Alaska. He will be missed.”

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) said:

“I was very sad to learn of the airplane crash that took the life of Senator Ted Stevens. Today, we have lost a remarkable public servant and a giant of man,” said Sen. Hutchison. “From the very beginning, Ted was Alaska’s greatest champion. He helped found his state, worked tirelessly to serve its unique needs in the Senate, and continued to be its fiercest advocate for the rest of his life. Along with the state of Alaska and his precious family, aviation was Ted’s passion. He bravely served our country flying planes in World War II. It can truthfully be said that Ted Stevens served our country throughout his entire adult life. He was a true friend and will be missed by all who knew him as a person and a public servant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”    

President Obama said:

“A decorated World War II veteran, Senator Ted Stevens devoted his ca! reer to serving the people of Alaska and fighting for our men ! and wome n in uniform.  Michelle and I extend our condolences to the entire Stevens family and to the families of those who perished alongside Senator Stevens in this terrible accident.”

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) said:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of my former colleague and friend, Senator Ted Stevens. Ted was a skilled legislator who mastered the art of principled compromise for the betterment of Alaska and the nation.

"I took a trip to Alaska with Ted in 2007 and quickly found his fingerprints in every corner of the state â€" from Alaska’s largest cities to the most remote Native villages.  Ted always said, ‘To hell with politics. Do what is best for Alaska.’ He never apologized for fighting for his state, and Alaska is better for it today.

“Many will remember Ted for being a vigorous advocate for his state since the 1950s, but his! legacy extends well beyond Alaska’s borders. Ted’s work continues to touch the lives of millions of Americans through his strong support for our military, revolutionizing the nation’s fishing industry, his establishment of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and his persistent efforts to achieve American energy independence.

“Frank and I offer our condolences to Ted’s wife, Catherine, and the six children that he left behind. The Stevens family has endured so much during the last few years â€" I pray that their strength in each other and faith in God will get them through this terrible tragedy.”

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) said:

“My deepest sympathies and my prayers go out to all of the families of those who were killed in this plane crash.  This is an absolute tragedy for Alaska and for its people.  Ted was a very close, personal friend of me and my family.Â!   I used to babysit his kids, and he would babysit mine.  Heâ! €™s been my mentor, first in the State Legislature, and then as our Senior Senator and I will miss him a great deal.  Ted is a true Alaskan hero, and a hero for our nation.  I am a man of strong faith and I know that he is in heaven continuing the good Lord’s work as he did here on earth.  I will continue to pray for Catherine, the kids, and the families of all of the other victims on board.  May God bless them all.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowksi (R-Alaska) said:

“Last night, Alaska lost a hero and I lost a dear friend. The thought of losing Ted Stevens, a man who was known to business and community leaders, Native chiefs and everyday Alaskans as ‘Uncle Ted,’ is too difficult to fathom. His entire life was dedicated to public serviceâ€"from his days as a pilot in World War II to his four decades of service in the United States Senate. He truly was the greatest of the ‘Greatest Generatio! n.’

“The love and respect that Alaskans of all persuasions feel toward Ted Stevens is on a par with what the American people felt towards leaders such as John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ronald Reagan. Ted had the vision of a John Kennedy that Alaskans are an exceptional people who would achieve great things in his lifetime; the compassion of a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in devoting his life to alleviating the Third World conditions that plagued Alaska’s Native people; and the unwavering strength of a Ronald Reagan whether fighting for the men and women of our military or for Alaska’s right to develop ANWR and its abundant natural resources.

“On this sad and tragic day, we pray for all those who have perished, as well as the survivors and their families. I ask Alaskans to join me today in prayer.”

Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) said:

â€! œAlaska has lost one of its greatest statesmen and a true pion! eer of o ur state with the passing of Senator Ted Sevens. Over his four decades of public service in the U.S. Senate, Senator Stevens was a forceful advocate for Alaska who helped transform our state in the challenging years after Statehood. Senator Stevens’ many contributions to Alaska are enormous and his legacy of fierce devotion to Alaska will be long-lasting.

“Deborah and I join all Alaskans in praying for Senator Stevens’ wife, Catherine, and his extended family. Let us also remember the other victims of this terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are also with their families.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said:

“It is with deep sadness that Elaine and I note the passing of a friend and former colleague, Senator Ted Stevens. In the history of our country, no one man has done more for one state than Ted Stevens. His commitment to the people of Ala! ska and his nation spanned decades, and he left a lasting mark on both. From his early military service as a pilot in World War II, to his involvement in the statehood of “The Last Frontier,” to his fierce support and defense of our nation’s military, Ted Stevens was always there, fighting for what he believed in, and usually winning. He was a force to be reckoned with, and we will miss him greatly. We extend our deepest sympathies to Catherine and the entire Stevens family, and to the families of the friends who were lost in this terrible accident."

Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) said:

"Ted Stevens and I agreed on issues about once a century, but I always enjoyed and appreciated working with him because you always knew exactly where he stood.  There was no guile about him.

"He devoted his life to the State of Alaska, which he dearly loved, and fought for it every day of! his life with conviction and passion.

"My sympath! y goes o ut to his family and the families of the others killed in this unfortunate accident."

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said:

“Today, America lost a legend, a patriot and a gentle warrior who never stopped fighting for his beloved state of Alaska or for what he believed in.  Ted Stevens is irreplaceable - his fierce loyalty and spirit remain unrivalled in the United States Senate.  He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will always live on.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Stevens family during these most difficult times.”

Sen. Ted Inouye (D-Hawaii) said:

Irene and I are deeply saddened by the tragic death of our dear friend, and! my brother, Ted Stevens.  His wife, Catherine, and his entire family are in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
 
Our friendship was a very special one. When it came to policy, we disagreed more often than we agreed, but we were never disagreeable with one another.  We were always positive and forthright.  Senator Stevens and I worked together to ensure that the small non-contiguous states of Hawaii and Alaska were not forgotten by the lower 48 and to ensure that the nation awoke to the importance of the Pacific for our economy and international relations.
I will never forget him. 

Ted Stevens was an extraordinary American.  He risked his life while serving in China with the Flying Tigers in World War II.  He was a leader in the Senate, having served as Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Chairman of the Commerce Committee, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and President Pro Tempore of the Unit! ed States Senate.

I have lost my brother.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said:

“I’m very sad to hear of the passing of former Senator Ted Stevens.  Senator Stevens was a decorated World War II veteran, and he was truly loved by the people of Alaska.

“As the longest serving Republican Senator in history, he lived a life of incredible accomplishment.  He will be greatly missed.

“I also want to extend my thoughts and prayers to all the families involved and affected by this tragic plane crash.”