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. st 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 th 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). th 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. thth 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 th 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 rd 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.