More important to Stevens, the Utah Republican also called him honest.
"If he gives you his word, he'll keep it. He's totally honest," said Hatch, who testified as a character witness on the 15th day of Stevens' jury trial on federal corruption charges.
Stevens, 84, is accused of lying on his financial-disclosure form to conceal $250,000 in home renovations paid for by an Alaska oil contractor.
Hatch, 74, may seem like an odd choice for a character witness, since he doesn't serve on the same Senate committees as Stevens and the two Republicans have not worked closely on major legislation. But they have known each other since the mid-1970s.
Hatch testified he met Stevens when the Utah Republican first ran for the Senate.
"Ted was one of the heroes I went back to see. He gave me some good advice," said Hatch, who has been a senator for 32 years, while Stevens has been in office for 40 years. "I know Ted Stevens about as well as anyone in the United States Senate. I love the guy."
Hatch's praise didn't stop there. He called Stevens "a very, very solid, fine, decent honorable man."
"He is one of the true lions of the Senate," along with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Hatch said.
Hatch declined to answer any questions after testifying, saying it would be "inappropriate" to give an interview with the trial ongoing.
The jury could begin deliberations early next week. Before then, Stevens indicated Tuesday that he and his wife, Catherine, may take the stand.
The Alaska icon is in the midst a tight re-election campaign. He has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from his colleagues in Congress, including $14,000 from Hatch and $10,000 from Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
