Ted Stevens Statue at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

In 2000, the Alaska state legislature passed legislation formally renamed the Anchorage Airport as the Ted Stevens Anchorage International (TSAI) Airport. It has long been a dream of the Foundation to add a physical representation of the Senator and his legacy to the airport to greet and educate visitors to our great state.

Project History

Beginning in late 2017, sculptor Joan Bugbee Jackson of Cordova, Alaska began work on crafting what would ultimately become our legacy project for the TSAI Airport. 

This base form was completed in Cordova in August 2018, and sent to Oregon to be cast into its final bronze form. Included on the statue are representations of the moments that defined the Senator’s life in public service, including the China-Burma-Indian patch from his World War II service, and the President Pro Tempore seal signifying his appointment to the position in 2003.

As a tribute to the Senator’s dedication to Alaska’s First People, local Cordova artist Mike Webber created a one-of-a-kind Native design for the Senator’s tie.

In collaboration with the Stevens’ family, the Foundation created exhibits highlighting the Senator’s life and significant legislative milestones that encapsulate his career. These can be found on the columns surrounding the statue exhibit.

The statue itself shows the Senator in a seated position with his signature gesture representing his willingness to engage and work collaboratively with diverse groups, and is on an equal footing with visitors.

The glass mountain backdrop is of Mount Stevens of the Alaska range, which was formally designated by the U.S. Congress in 2010 to honor the Senator. The three benches partially surround the center Seal of Alaska, and offer a place to rest and reflect while in the airport.

This project could not have been possible without the generosity and expertise of the Senator’s family and friends, and Alaskan businesses.

We hope this project inspires all of us to address the challenges we face and to find opportunities to join together towards a common purpose.

 

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Statue Unveiling

On February 23, 2019, the Ted Stevens Foundation proudly unveiled the bronze statue of the Senator at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

We’d like to especially thank our speakers for the dedication: Governor Mike Dunleavy; Representative Don Young; Senator Lisa Murkowski; Senator Dan Sullivan; and Willie Iġġiaġruk Hensley.

Another thank you to all of our generous sponsors who made this project possible and whose support was instrumental in its presentation and completion. Including our lead donor Bob Penney and his family.

And a special thank you to the amazing staff at the TSAI Airport, whose support and assistance throughout the project ensured the event’s success.

The Ted Stevens Statue is located between the B and C concourses in the airport’s South Terminal, and is accompanied by an educational display of the Senator’s history.