Dedication of the World War II Veterans Memorial

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
SENATE
June 2, 2004
DEDICATION OF THE WORLD WAR II VETERANS MEMORIAL

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I, too, rise to pay tribute and honor to our World War II colleagues here in the Senate: Senator Inouye, Senator Akaka, Senator Warner, Senator Hollings, Senator Lautenberg, and, of course, my friend, Senator Stevens. I would like to take a few minutes this afternoon to speak my heartfelt appreciation to my friend, the senior Senator from the State of Alaska, Senator Stevens.

I know words alone can never accurately reflect the tenacious spirit of our friend and decorated World War II veteran. Like so many veterans of the war, Senator Stevens downplays his role. He will tell you quite simply he did what was expected. Yet it is something that must be told time and time again to realize how much this one humble servant has done and continues to do, both for the country and for the State of Alaska.

Prior to going into the war, Senator Stevens made a promise to his aunt with whom he was living at the time. He made a promise that he was not going to enlist until he could do so without her consent. So he stayed in college until he was 19, and then he immediately put the wheels in motion to enlist. But he didn't pass that first flight physical. His eyes apparently were not up to par. I think my colleagues in this Chamber who know Senator Stevens, especially those of them who might play tennis with him, know that this setback was not something that was going to keep Senator Stevens down. He was determined to fulfill his commitment. He went out and did eye exercises for a couple of months and passed that next flight physical.

During World War II, Senator Stevens flew C-46s and C-47s in the China-Burma-India theater, supporting the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals, and the Yuan Hai medal, awarded by the Republic of China, a truly honorable and amazing tour of duty.

But this was not enough action for Senator Stevens. It was on his way home from China that he gained an interest, I guess, in politics. During the war, he had done his job. He flew every mission that was requested of him and volunteered for more. He volunteered to drive the Burma Road with a convoy of trucks because they needed officers.

But afterward, the keen interest in politics, in terms of why the United States was involved in the war, kicked in, and Alaska and the Nation have benefited ever since. He finished his undergraduate education at UCLA, earned his juris doctorate from Harvard, and served in a number of Government and elected positions before coming here to the U.S. Senate.

To Senator Stevens, Senators INOUYE, AKAKA, WARNER, HOLLINGS, and LAUTENBERG, I join with my colleagues in thanking you for your distinguished service to our country and to this legislative body, not only because you helped to protect and defend our freedoms but also because you continue to support those who now serve to protect and defend our beloved America. You are the living history of the greatest generation.
I yield the floor.