Ted Stevens Biography

Ted Stevens	Theodore Fulton Stevens Born: 1923-11-18 Birthplace: Indianapolis, IN Race: White Religion: Anglican/Episcopalian Political Party: Republican Field: Politician Famous for: US Senator from Alaska Ted Stevens Offical Website: http://stevens.senate.gov/
Field: Politician

Theodore Fulton Stevens (born November 18, 1923) is the senior United States Senator from Alaska, serving since December 24, 1968. As the longest continuously serving Republican in the Senate, Stevens served as President pro tempore from January 3, 2003, to January 3, 2007, and currently holds the title President pro tempore emeritus.

Stevens has had a six-decade career in government, beginning with his service in World War II. In the 1950s, he held senior positions in the Eisenhower Interior Department. He has served continuously in the Senate since December 1968. He played key roles in legislation that shaped Alaska's economic and social development, including the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. He is also known for his sponsorship of the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, which resulted in the establishment of the United States Olympic Committee.

When the 110th Congress convened and Democrats took control of the chamber, he was replaced as President pro tem by Robert Byrd, and thus took Byrd's previous honorary role of "President pro tempore emeritus." He is only the third Senator to hold the title of President pro tempore emeritus, having been preceded in this position by Byrd and Strom Thurmond.

On July 29, 2008, Stevens was indicted by a federal grand jury on seven counts of failing to report gifts received from VECO Corporation and its CEO Bill Allen on his Senate financial disclosure forms, formally charged with violation of provisions of the Ethics in Government Act. Stevens pleaded not guilty and asserted his right to a speedy trial, which began on September 25 in Washington, DC, to have the opportunity to clear his name before the November election. However, on October 27, 2008, barely a week before the election, Stevens was found guilty on all seven counts. If re-elected, Stevens will become the first convicted felon ever to be elected to the United States Senate.