House Chaplain Margaret G. Kibben speaks during a ceremony for the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, as he lies in state in Statuary Hall, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at the Capitol in Washington. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18, 2022. He was 88. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)

House Chaplain Margaret G. Kibben speaks during a ceremony for the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, as he lies in state in Statuary Hall, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at the Capitol in Washington. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18, 2022. He was 88. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)

His absence will leave Congress less colorful and certainly less punctual

“His absence will leave Congress less colorful and certainly less punctual…”

By Kevin Freking

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders on Tuesday hailed the late Republican Rep. Don Young, the only congressman Alaska has known for nearly the last half-century, as a gruff but pragmatic lawmaker who got things done for his constituents.

Young, the longest-serving Republican in the history of the House, lay in state at the Capitol on Tuesday, one of a select few chosen for the honor. Young died on a flight to Alaska earlier this month. He was 88.

“His absence will leave Congress less colorful and certainly less punctual but his legacy will live on,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who credited Young with sponsoring 123 bills that became law.

Young was first elected to the House in 1973. That year, he helped secure the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which transports crude oil from the North Slope of Alaska to the state’s southern coast and provides a critical source of funding for the state’s government and its residents. He also played a leading role in protecting Alaska’s fisheries from unregulated foreign fleets, dramatically extending U.S. jurisdiction to 200 nautical miles.

While his legislative accomplishments were significant, he is also remembered for a personality that could be as rough as the Alaska wilderness that helped shape his political views.

Anne Walton pauses at the casket of her late husband Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, as he lies in state in Statuary Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18. He was 88. (Shawn Thew/Pool Photo via AP)

Anne Walton pauses at the casket of her late husband Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, as he lies in state in Statuary Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18. He was 88. (Shawn Thew/Pool Photo via AP)

McCarthy said he once made the mistake of sitting in the chair assigned to Young in the House.

“The lesson I learned that day? It’s true, he does have a knife,” McCarthy said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described Young as an institution who was a “dogged, determined champion for Alaska in the House.” She said that despite their political differences, many Democrats enjoyed a close friendship with Young.

“He was always willing to reach across the aisle if it meant delivering for Alaska,” she said. “Indeed, he took great pride in the photographs of him with 10 presidents of both parties who signed his bills into law.”

Attendance to the ceremony was limited to provide for social distancing. But colleagues and congressional aides lined up in the hours afterward to pay their respects one-by-one, pausing briefly to face the flag-draped coffin and reflect. President Joe Biden did so as well in the early afternoon. He gently placed his hands on the casket for a moment before providing a crisp salute.

Both Alaska senators spoke at the memorial service. Sen. Lisa Murkowski described Young as “colorful as they came. He was tough, but he was loyal.” Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan described him as authentic.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during a ceremony for the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, in Statuary Hall as he lies in state on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18. He was 88. (Bill Clark/Pool Photo via AP)

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during a ceremony for the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, in Statuary Hall as he lies in state on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18. He was 88. (Bill Clark/Pool Photo via AP)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during a ceremony for the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, in Statuary Hall as he lies in state on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18. He was 88. (Bill Clark/Pool Photo via AP)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during a ceremony for the late Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, in Statuary Hall as he lies in state on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Young, the longest-serving member of Alaska’s congressional delegation, died Friday, March 18. He was 88. (Bill Clark/Pool Photo via AP)

“In an age of overcoached politicians, he was a throwback, a throwback to a time and place where people were respected, not so much for how they talked or how they looked, but for what they could do,” Sullivan said.

Young had some close races, but many were landslides. He won his latest reelection bid with 54.4% of the vote and was intent on winning reelection this November to a 26th term.

“Alaskans have been generous with their support for me because they know I get the job done,” he said in 2016. “I’ll defend my state to the dying breath, and I will always do that and they know that.”

On the legislative front, Young was adamant about developing more of Alaska’s natural resources, such as oil, gas and timber, and he was often at odds with conservationists and environmental groups concerned about the harm such development could do to the environment.

He also worked to steer as many federal dollars as he could to the state. On that front, he was one of the few Republicans in the House to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure plan last year that called for $550 billion in new spending on roads, bridges, airports and rail over five years.

Young’s work included advocating for what some derided as the “bridge to nowhere,” a project that became a national symbol of federal pork-barrel spending. The funding for the project was later rescinded and the project was eventually scrapped. But the controversy over the project helped fuel a decade-long ban on congressional earmarks.

An honor guard carries the flag-draped casket of former Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, into the U.S. Capitol where he will lie in state in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (Jim Watson/Pool Photo via AP)

An honor guard carries the flag-draped casket of former Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, into the U.S. Capitol where he will lie in state in Washington, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (Jim Watson/Pool Photo via AP)

Young’s rough edges could lead him into trouble. He once waved a walrus penis bone at the new female leader of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during a committee hearing. He was forced to apologize to Fairbanks high school students for his use of vulgarity in describing a sex act, and when he used a racial slur to refer to Hispanic migrant workers in a radio interview.

The House Ethics Committee rebuked Young in 2014 for improperly converting campaign funds for personal use and for accepting impermissible gifts.

When Young became the longest-serving member of the House, in late 2017, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner remembered many of his steps and missteps in an editorial, “What to make of Rep. Young’s career.”

“Rep. Young’s brash language has landed him in hot water on multiple occasions as well. Even so, there is no denying Rep. Young has done great things for Alaska,” the paper concluded. “Whether he retires next year or in five years, his decades-long career gives us plenty to chew on when we think of his time in office.”

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 17

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

A butter clam. Butter clams are found from the Aleutian Islands to the California coast. They are known to retain algal toxins longer than other species of shellfish. (Photo provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Among butter clams, which pose toxin dangers to Alaska harvesters, size matters, study indicates

Higher concentrations found in bigger specimens, UAS researchers find of clams on beaches near Juneau.

An aerial view of people standing near destroyed and damaged buildings in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene flooding on Oct. 8, 2024 in Bat Cave, North Carolina. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Members of U.S. Senate back disaster aid request amid increasing storm severity

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration’s request for nearly $100 billion in natural… Continue reading

Media members and other observers gather at the Alaska Division of Elections office on Wednesday evening as the results of all ballots, including ranked choice tabulations, were announced. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ranked choice voting repeal fails by 0.2%, Begich defeats Peltola 51.3%-48.7% on final day of counting

Tally released Wednesday night remains unofficial until Nov. 30 certification.

Looking through the dining room and reception area to the front door. The table will be covered with holiday treats during the afternoon open house. The Stickley slide table, when several extensions are added, provides comfortable seating for 22 dinner guests. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
The Governor’s House: Welcoming Alaskans for more than 100 years

Mansion has seen many updates to please occupants, but piano bought with first funds still playable.

The language of Ballot Measure 2 appears on Alaska’s 2024 absentee ballots. The measure would repeal the states open primary and ranked choice voting system. (Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon)
Count tightens to 45-vote margin for repealing Alaska’s ranked choice system going into final day

State Division of Elections scheduled to conduct final tally at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The drive-through of the Mendenhall Valley branch of True North Federal Credit Union, seen on June 13, is where a man was laying down when he was fatally struck by a truck during the early morning hours of June 1. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police: Driver of CBJ truck not at fault in death of man struck in drive-through lane of bank

Victim laying on pavement during early-morning incident in June couldn’t be seen in time, JPD chief says.

Juneau Assembly members confer with city administrative leaders about details of a proposed resolution asking the state for more alcohol licenses during an Assembly meeting Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Petition seeking one-third expansion of alcohol-serving establishments gets Assembly OK

Request to state would allow 31 licensees in Juneau instead of 23; Assembly rejects increase to 43.

Noah Teshner (right) exhibits the physical impact military-grade flood barriers will have on properties with the help of other residents at a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Locals protesting $8K payment for temporary flood barriers told rejection may endanger permanent fix

Feds providing barriers free, but more help in danger if locals won’t pay to install them, city manager says.

Most Read