Wed, Aug 11, 2010
Statement by AIA President & CEO Marion C. Blakey on the
death of former Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)
Today we mourn the loss of Senator
Ted Stevens. The Senator passed while engaged with several of his
dearest friends in two of his greatest passions: flying and
fishing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those
who were on board the airplane.
A lion of the Senate, Stevens served his Alaskan
constituents with distinction for forty years. His numerous
contributions to Alaska and the United States on issues as varied
as aviation safety, business development, conservation and amateur
sports are worthy of great recognition.
A rated pilot, Senator Stevens "flew the hump" in the Burma
Theater during World War II. He understood the challenges of flying
in Alaska and was responsible for improving aviation safety
throughout his beloved state. Stevens championed the FAA's CAPSTONE
project in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. It was the first program in
the United States to demonstrate the early benefits of Automatic
Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast - the core technology for the Next
Generation Air Transportation System, which reduced the accident
rate among participants by more than 40 percent. He also was
responsible for the installation of weather cameras in treacherous
Alaskan passes and at key remote airports so pilots could
supplement weather forecasts with pictures of actual
conditions.
AIA President & CEO Marion C.
Blakey
The U.S. warfighter had no better ally than Ted Stevens
while he was in the Senate. Working together on the Senate
Appropriations Committee with his long time friend, Senator Daniel
Inouye, Stevens crafted legislation that ensured our armed services
were equipped to face any threat. A great American and true
patriot, whether wearing his famous Hulk tie on the floor of the
Senate or fishing in Alaska with his grandchildren, he will be
sorely missed.
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