Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/04/2023 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB141 | |
| HJR3 | |
| HB23 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 141 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 108 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 141-ESTABLISHING DON YOUNG DAY
3:33:28 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 141
"An Act establishing June 9 of each year as Don Young Day."
3:33:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, District 10, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of HB 141, stated that this
legislation establishes Don Young Day in perpetuity. He said it
seemed appropriate to honor this man who served his state so
long on the date of his birth.
3:35:12 PM
DENEEN TUCK, Staff, Representative Craig Johnson, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced HB 141 on behalf of the
sponsor. She read the following prepared testimony into the
record:
Congressman Donald Edwin Young:
Born June 9, 1933, in Sutter County, Meridian,
California to Russell Lawhead "Cy" Young and Arlene
Young-Harris. Congressman Young was the second of
three sons.
Congressman Young attended Yuba College and earned his
associate degree in education in 1952. He went on to
earn his bachelor's degree in 1958 from Chico State
College.
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After a stint in the U.S. Army, serving in the 41
Battalion from 1955 to 1957. Although raised in
California at the age of 26, (1959) Congressman Young
moved to Alaska,
Over the first few years of his life in Alaska,
Congressman Young worked in different careers, sailing
(River Boat Captain), trapping, construction and
becoming a teacher. While living in Fort Yukon
Congressman Young was elected Mayor in 1964.
After two years of serving as Mayor, Congressman Young
ran for the Alaska House of Representatives (1967-
1971) and won his seat. He said he "loved" the job
before he "got ambitious" and ran for the Alaska
Senate, he served in the Alaska Senate (1970-1973).
(Fun fact, Rep. Edgmon, District 37 currently sits in
the seat Congressman Young sat in while serving in the
Alaska House of Representatives and Senator Kaufman,
District F currently sits where Congressman Young sat
while serving in the Alaska State Senate)
Congressman Young first ran for the House of
Representatives in 1972. He ran against Nick Begich,
who disappeared and was presumed dead in a plane
crash, but still won the race. Congressman Young had
to run to fill his vacant seat in a special election,
which he won in March 1973, and became our Congressman
in the House of Representatives. He was sworn into
the United States House of Representatives on March
14, 1973. He credited his victory to his leadership
of the fight for the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System.
3:37:49 PM
Two hours after being sworn into the United States
House of Representatives he found himself leading the
historic battle for the approval of the Trans-Alaska
Pipeline. Often, Congressman Young would cite this as
the single most important achievement in his career.
He stated that "Next to statehood itself, the most
historical legislation passed that affected every
Alaskan then, now, and in the future, was the passage
of the pipeline legislation."
That same year, his colleagues honored him as the
"Freshman Congressman of the Year." He went on to gain
a key appointment on the then Merchant Marine and
Fisheries Committee where he pushed through the 200-
mile fishing limit critical to Alaska's fishing
industry. He fought against federal control of lands
and resources to which Alaskans are rightfully
entitled - a battle he continued with the same vigor
until the time of his passing.
In 1997, Congressman Young passed by a 419 to 1 vote,
the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act,
which sets guidelines and priority uses within our
nation's 550-plus wildlife refuges.
In 2017, Congressman Young was rated by Georgetown
University's McCourt School on Public Policy as one of
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the most bipartisan members of Congress for the 115
th
and 116 Congresses. In December 2017, Congressman
Young became Dean of the House (member with the
longest unbroken record of service).
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Starting the 116 Congress, Congressman Young was the
longest serving House member. Due to his (and Senator
Stevens') long tenure in the House, Alaska was
considered to have had clout in national politics far
beyond its small population. Congressman Young was
often called "Alaska's third senator".
Congressman Young was also the most senior U.S.
Representative and the last member who had been in
office since the 1970s. He was the second-highest
ranking Republican on the Natural Resources and
Transportation Committee and the Infrastructure
committees.
Congressman Young was also the only licensed mariner
in Congress during his tenure.
Congressman Young proudly served as the "Congressman
for All Alaska" and loved his role as the only Alaskan
Representative in Congress. Renewed by the challenges
and goals of the 117th Congress and his committee
positions, Congressman Young continued to champion
legislation and funding for programs benefiting Alaska
and the nation. (In your packet you should have a copy
of Congressman Young's timeline and accomplishments).
His vision remained the same - to provide citizens
with the opportunity for a better life not just for
today, but also for tomorrow and the future.
3:40:57 PM
March 5, 2019, (two years prior to his death)
Congressman Young became the oldest and longest-
tenured member of Congress and the longest-serving
Republican in Congressional history. He remained
Alaska's sole Congressman and was re-elected 24 times.
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He was in his 25 term and 49 year in Congress.
In April 2022, the House passed two bills sponsored by
the late Congressman Young. The bills dubbed the
Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act (introduced in
December 2021) and Congressman Young's Alaska Native
Health Care Land Transfers Act (introduced in January
2022) both passed by voice vote. Rep. Raul Grijalva
(D-Ariz) on the House floor said the legislation is "a
perfect example of how Young fought for what is best
for Alaska." He also stated that "I believe the bill
is a fitting tribute to our departed friend. It
elevates Alaskan voices, especially Native Alaskans,
and it brings stakeholders together to build consensus
and find a practical solution to this pressing issue
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in our 49 state."
Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ore) stated that Congressman Young
was discussing the need for the bill the day before he
died. He went on to state that he thought it was
"more than appropriate" that the bill was being
renamed after the late congressman.
Republican Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, stated,
"There is no other person in this body that's been
loved, feared, and respected as much as Congressman
Young".
He was laid in state in the U.S. Capitol's National
Statuary Hall on March 29, 2022, before his memorial
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service. He was the 43 person to have this honor
since 1852.
3:42:43 PM
Since his death, the House of Representatives passed a
bill (with no opposition) in December 2021, that
renamed Mount Cerberus, an active volcano on
Semisopochnoi (pronounced Semi-so-poch-noi) Island
Mount Young. Mount Young stands 5,351 feet tall in the
Chilkat Mountain Range on the boundary of Glacier Bay
National Monument. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski and
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan intentionally chose a
volcano, stating that "As we were looking for
something that might be fitting, we looked not only at
mountains, but we looked at mountains that continue to
blow their top to this very day." Congressman Young
has been paid further homage; having the measure also
renaming the federal building in Fairbanks and the Job
Corps Center in Palmer to reflect the Congressman
Young name in his memory.
President Joe Biden made a statement on Congressman
Young's passing, in part stating "There is no doubt
that few legislators have left a greater mark on their
state. Congressman Young's legacy lives on the
infrastructure projects he delighted in steering
across Alaska. In the opportunities he advanced for
his constituents. In the enhanced protections for
Native tribes, he championed. His legacy will
continue in the America he loved."
Congressman Young told the New York Times in 2020 when
asked how long he planned to serve, replying, "God
will decide that, or the voters."
Congressman Young passed away while on a flight home
to Alaska on March 18, 2022. He was 88 years old.
3:44:22 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked if there were questions for the sponsor.
SENATOR MERRICK thanked the sponsor, stated support for the
bill, and declared a conflict of interest because Don Young was
a close family friend and she had served on his staff.
3:45:01 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI turned to invited testimony.
3:45:27 PM
ANNE WALTON-YOUNG, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified by invitation on HB 141. She stated that she was Don
Young's widow and she thought this was a lovely commemorative
honoring her husband. She relayed that she had no idea how far
the idea of honoring her husband could or would go. She was
delighted to learn that June 9, her husband's birthday, had been
selected to memorialize him. She spoke about the overwhelming
and heartwarming expressions of support.
MS. WALTON-YOUNG opined that with her husband's passing, the
state of Alaska lost its number one lifetime champion. His
unparalleled commitment and love for Alaska defined him. She
continued that there will never be another person who can or
would give as much as her husband gave to the state of Alaska.
She said HB 141 has her complete backing and she'll happily
participate in and attend all celebratory events that are
possible. She shared that June 9 is not only her sweetheart's
birthday, it is also their wedding anniversary. It has always
been and will continue to be a happy day. She thanked the
sponsor and the committee for their time and consideration in
establishing June 9 as Don Young Day.
3:50:01 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI extended condolences on behalf of the committee
and spoke of his fond memories of Congressman Young. He opined
that it was fitting to honor his legacy.
3:50:45 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked the sponsor if he had further comments.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON referenced Senator Merrick's comment and
opined that if everyone who had a conflict were to declare it,
nobody would be able to vote.
CHAIR KAWASAKI held HB 141 in committee.