Longest-serving GOP congressman lauded

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

Young was the longest-serving Republican in the history of the House. He died on a flight to Alaska this month. He was 88. Former colleagues honored him Tuesday as he joined a select few chosen to lie in state at the Capitol.

“His absence will leave Congress less colorful and certainly less punctual, but his legacy will live on,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., 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.

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, D-Calif., 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.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, described Young as “colorful as they came. He was tough, but he was loyal.” Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, described him as authentic.

“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 to a 26th term in November.“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.”