The Senate has expressed its "profound sorrow and deep regret" over the death of former Sen. Ted Stevens, a commanding presence there for four decades.
The chamber, which has lost venerable Sens. Edward Kennedy and Robert Byrd in just the last two years, paid tribute Thursday to the 86-year-old Stevens, who was killed Monday in a plane crash in his native Alaska. He was recognized, especially, for being the longest-serving Republican in the chamber.
A memorial resolution also noted his service as a pilot during World War II, his central role in securing the admission of Alaska as the 49th state in 1959 and his legislative achievements.
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