Sarah Palin to attend Stevens funeral

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Wednesday's funeral for former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens will be broadcast nationwide by C-SPAN, according to the AP:

Vice President Joe Biden is planning to attend the funeral. Also expected to attend are 10 current senators, 13 former senators, a few representatives, Alaska's three-member congressional delegation and current and former Alaska governors, including Sarah Palin, according to Mitch Rose, a Stevens family spokesman.

Three days of remembrances for the Senate's longest serving Republican began Monday with a Catholic Mass at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage. Tuesday, Stevens' body lay in repose at All Saints Episcopal Church in Anchorage. Wednesday's funeral services will be at the Anchorage Baptist Temple.

- JP

Sarah Palin: Statement on the passing of Sen. Ted Stevens

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Gov. Palin released this statement on the news today of the death of former Senator Ted Stevens. The statement was also posted on her Facebook Notes page:

Alaska’s Tough Warrior, Ted Stevens

It’s with great sadness that Todd and I hear the reports coming in of Senator Ted Stevens’ passing in the plane crash near Dillingham. In our land of towering mountains and larger than life characters, none were larger than the man who in 2000 was voted “Alaskan of the Century.” This decorated World War II pilot was a warrior and a true champion of Alaska.

In 40 years of service in the U.S. Senate, he fought tenaciously for Alaska’s future. Alaskans know how much we owe to Senator Stevens, but all Americans owe him a debt of gratitude for his leadership on many issues, including the crucial energy issues that fuel American prosperity. Two years ago, he sat at my kitchen table over a salmon lunch, and we talked about our long anticipated Alaska natural gas pipeline and our mutual commitment to have the Last Frontier’s rich resources contribute to America’s quest for energy independence.

Our Senator was also known for spearheading efforts to ensure equality in education, and his Title IX legislation allowed girls to be on a level playing field in the athletic arena.

Our hearts and prayers are with the Stevens family and the families of the other victims of the crash.

- Sarah Palin

- JP

Alaska Senator Ted Stevens Confirmed Dead in Plane Crash

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-By Warner Todd Huston

Governor Palin has tweeted the following about the tragic plane crash:

"Heartbreaking Bristol Bay plane crash. Alaska's heart surrounds loved ones. More info coming in; pls pray for Dillingham rescue this morning."

It has been confirmed by former Senator Ted Stevens' family that he has perished in a plane crash near Dillingham, Alaska.

Former NASA Chief Sean O'Keefe was also aboard the plane but no word if he also perished in the crash.

Oddly, years ago Senator Stevens survived another plane crash in which his beloved wife died.

At this reporting there are four survivors but the Alaska National Guard has not identified them.

Senator Stevens served from 1968 to 2009 when he at last lost a re-election bid. He was the longest serving Republican Senator in history. Stevens was 87.

Update: The AP has reported that EADS North America CEO Sean O'Keefe and his son survived the crash. This has been confirmed in a statement released today from company chairman Ralph Crosby.

-WTH