Alaska House votes to designate June 9 as Don Young Day

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Alaska’s late congressman Don Young was honored in Juneau on April 20, as the Alaska House of Representatives voted overwhelming to establish a day for him.

Young, who served for 49 years as Alaska’s sole legislator in the U.S. House of Representatives, died on March 18, 2022, leaving behind a legacy of service to the state.

House Bill 141 would declare June 9 each year, which is Young’s birthdate, to be “Don Young Day.” It was proposed by the House Rules Committee, and passed the body in a vote of 35 to 2.

Democrat Representative Zack Fields from Anchorage, spoke about his support for the bill and Young’s legacy. “He’s not going to be here to see the Port of Alaska resilient against seismic events. That is part of his legacy in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. He’s not going to be here to see roads and bridges and airports built and rebuilt in every community across this state, and yet when they are, Don Young lives on. He will live on far longer than the bills he passed, and it’s just such an honor to be here and have the ability to push the green button on this bill.”

The bill now heads to the Alaska Senate.

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