Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007--Motion to Proceed

Floor Speech

INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007--MOTION TO PROCEED -- (Senate - April 12, 2007)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I wish to tell a quick story. I was in my office working and watching the beginning of Senator Byrd's speech about Senator Stevens. I was reminded that I had a picture of two fellows who came up from Georgia to cook for the Senate at a barbecue. It is a picture of Senator Stevens, myself, and those two gentlemen. The reason I ran over here is to say this: When I asked who the two gentlemen wanted to have their picture taken with, they said Senator Ted Stevens. I think that is a testimony to his reach, which is far beyond Alaska and to my home in Georgia.

Secondly, when I saw Senator Byrd speak, I knew he was speaking about Senator Stevens, and I realized the embodiment of history in the Senate that these two gentlemen represent. To come and sit down as Senator Thad Cochran came into the Chamber, I realized this 2-year rookie of the Senate was sitting among greatness.

My favorite book of all time is ``The Greatest Generation'' because it tells true stories of those great men and women who, in the most critical test in the history of our country, defeated the axis powers in Germany and in the Pacific and saw to it that this democracy continued. Senator Stevens fought bravely for this country in the Pacific. As I was born in 1944, his generation was seeing to it that I would have the opportunity to live the life I have and one day actually come to the Senate.

Senator Stevens, I wanted to say, as a youngster in the Senate, thank you for what you have done. You sacrificed, and you have allowed me to be able to take advantage and eventually come to the Senate. I pass those same compliments on to Mr. Cochran and Mr. Byrd. These are three great Americans with whom I am honored to share a moment today. Congratulations.

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