JUNEAU, Alaska » Nearly two years after the death of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, a Senate panel has recommended that a Navy warship be named in his honor.

Stevens’ legacy has already been memorialized through having a mountain named after him in his home state of Alaska, as well as the now-annual Ted Stevens Day. But several senators Thursday said it would be particularly fitting for a warship to be named for Stevens, given his strong support for the military and servicemen and servicewomen during his 40 years in the Senate.

The Republican’s longtime friend, U.S. Sen. Daniel Ino­uye of Hawaii, a Demo­crat, said it would be a "small but well-deserved honor" for someone who did so much to support the Navy.

The recommendation was included in a defense spending bill.