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[Pages S2920-S2921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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REMEMBERING BILL WILLIAMS
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to Bill
Williams of Saxman, AK, a businessman, community leader, an Alaska
statesman, and my friend, who died on Sunday, May 12, just short of his
76th birthday.
Bill's story exemplifies how far one can go in Alaska if one works
hard and exhibits a devotion for community service. Bill was lifelong
Alaskan and a graduate of Ketchikan High School. He was a longshoreman,
a proud member of the International Longshoremen and Warehousemen's
Union. He was a business leader, serving as president of the Cape Fox
Corporation, his ANCSA village corporation. He was a fisherman. He
served on the Saxman City Council and was mayor of Saxman. Bill was a
leader in the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Tlingit and Haida.
In 1993, Bill was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives,
serving until 2004. A strong advocate for development of Alaska's
natural resources and preservation of the traditional subsistence way
of life, Bill distinguished himself in the Alaska Legislature. He rose
to cochair the finance committee of the Alaska House of
Representatives, one of the most powerful positions in the State of
Alaska. Bill knew how to make deals, and because his word was his bond,
he knew how to keep a deal. I proudly served alongside Bill throughout
my tenure in the Alaska Legislature. He was both a friend and a mentor
to me.
Tributes are pouring in from those who knew and loved Bill Williams.
State Senator Bert Stedman, who is cochair of the senate finance
committee in the current legislative session, had this to say about
Bill: ``He understood that political differences don't need to divide
Alaskans. In the Capitol, he was known for keeping his words and
putting Alaska's interests above politics. He took the lead on both
subsistence and development issues. He was known for working with our
federal delegation and governors to keep jobs in the Tongass. He was a
strong voice on Alaska Native issues.''
The Ketchikan Daily News, in an editorial, remembered Bill as an
honorable man who represented the community and the region with quiet,
steadfast dignity: ``Those who met Williams would not likely forget
him. He was quiet and humble, possessing eyes of both twinkling good
humor and the glint of iron resolve. Others in public life learned
quickly not to underestimate the good representative from Saxman.''
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has also reflected on the loss of Bill
Williams this week. Governor Dunleavy said, ``Real leaders do not come
along very often, so it is especially tough when we lose one with the
ability and character of Bill Williams. He worked both hard and smart
for the constituents and communities he represented.'' Governor
Dunleavy has ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff this week in
Bill's memory.
From the central council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes, ``Gunalcheesh,
Haw'aa to Bill for his lifelong dedication to Southeast Alaska and its
people.''
[[Page S2921]]
On behalf of my colleagues here in the U.S. Senate, I extend my
condolences to Bill's wife Caryl, his family, the Saxman community, and
all who hold this very special Alaskan dear in their hearts. It is a
privilege to honor the late Bill Williams, an outstanding Alaskan, in
the U.S. Senate today.
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