Over the next several weeks, Sen. Ted Stevens and his famously hard-working staff will pack up four decades' worth of the memos, law books, reports and bills that delivered Alaska into the modern world.
The Native artwork, his trophy Kenai king, the surfboard, totem poles, medals, awards and photos with his war buddies will all come down. Critical work will lose momentum and the Senate will say goodbye to one of its largest personalities and greatest legislators in history.
For 40 of our 50 years as a state, Sen. Stevens helped Alaska acquire the basics: roads, harbors, airports, sanitation and safe drinking water systems necessary for a frontier to develop an economy.
Democrats were in control of the Senate for nearly half of Stevens' tenure. To accomplish as much as he did, the Alaska Republican developed bipartisan relationships before doing so was the fashionable political show trick so many claim but so few maintain.
Sen. Stevens worked his way through college as a lifeguard and I've often wondered if that same life-saving impulse directed his priorities for our state. Of the billions in improvements he brought to Alaska, it's hard to find any splashy monuments. Stevens' values and legacy are reflected in his fundamental commitment to providing basic infrastructure and his support for the military, our fisheries and natural resources.
Rural Alaska villages could not have survived without our senator's attention, and it is uncertain how they will do so now.
This fall, though in the minority, awaiting trial, and under attack by extreme elements of his own party, Stevens secured more in direct funding than any other senator. He was that good.
Even during the Clinton administration, as a relentless friend and supporter of public broadcasting, Stevens obtained the grant to move television operations from KTOO Juneau's old building on 4th Street to the new facility on Egan Drive.
To a great extent, this election was decided by ruthless government prosecutors -- currently under investigation for unethical practices -- who hid and manipulated evidence and witnesses before tossing our senator's fate to a farcical jury which included at least one person who believed that "all politicians are guilty."
Generally, those running for office do not receive, much less require, that level of help to tear down their opponents.
But that is what happened, and amid all of the soul-searching and restructuring that we Republicans supposedly must now conduct, we can also simply be thankful. For it is unlikely that any political party, or any state, will ever produce another one quite like Ted Stevens. And that is a shame.
When Sen. Stevens came to Juneau last month to receive the endorsement of eight Alaska fishermen's groups, I met him at the airport. Before we exited the terminal he was greeted warmly by random bystanders -- and a dozen times more throughout the afternoon.
Downtown, an elderly Native gentleman approached the Senator and said, "Sen. Stevens, a long time ago, you helped me out and I never said thank you."
Alaskans rarely say "thank you" for everything we're given. Yet, in spite of the troubles and disgraceful attacks of the past several weeks, 147,000 Alaska voters believed, trusted and thanked Ted Stevens.
With unconditional affection and gratitude for the privilege of being able to work productively, and fully enjoy this beautiful place, we proudly honored the man who indisputably made all of our lives better and who will always be our senator.
Paulette Simpson lives in Douglas. She is president of the Alaska Federation of Republican Women.
PAULETTE SIMPSON
COMMENT