First-Ever Ted Stevens Day Celebrated Across Alaska

Earlier this year, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell signed a bill into law designating the fourth Saturday of every July as Ted Stevens Day.

Tools

By Katie Paglini

Story Created: Jul 23, 2011 at 9:04 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 29, 2012 at 4:37 PM AKDT

Today, Alaskans celebrated the first ever Ted Stevens Day in commemoration of the late senator.

"It's a good day for a man that we cared for. I know it's hard to lose a good person like him, but I know he's in good hands with God's home," said Roy Kayokluck, an Alaskan celebrating the day.

Sen. Stevens died in a tragic plane crash near Dillingham last August, but during his life he served 40 years in the U.S. Senate representing Alaska. He is also credited with bringing home numerous projects and millions of dollars in federal aid to help build up the state.

Earlier this year, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell signed a bill into law designating the fourth Saturday of every July as Ted Stevens Day.

The original bill wanted the celebration to be held in November, the senator’s birth month, but his family requested that he be honored in the summer instead because that's when he was usually back home enjoying everything the great state has to offer.

"It's such a nice gesture. My family is so honored that we'll have this day in the future to remember him and think about what he did for Alaska and the vision that he had for the future," said Stevens’ daughter Lily.

She also said that some of her fondest memories with her dad were during the summer, making the day’s theme of “get out and enjoy the Alaskan outdoors” a fitting one.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

fyi said on Monday, Jul 25 at 8:24 PM

he was a great man that was set up by a child molester and corrupt feds and was proven a great leader by the legal system that failed a man that put his life on the line to defend his country his whole life

71283316
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

AK1958 said on Sunday, Jul 24 at 10:41 AM

Should be TED THIEVENS

71217202
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

fail said on Sunday, Jul 24 at 10:39 AM

Take the signs as a warning. Its time for an attitude change. Ted was a crimminal who ran up our nations debt while stealing for his own pleasure. Its time to come face to face with the fact of who this man and his friends are.

71217153
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.