Deputy Don Young, the dean of the House, has died, his office confirmed on Friday. He has served in the House for nearly half a century.
Young died Friday while traveling home from Alaska, according to a statement shared on his Facebook page.
“It is with heavy heart and deep sadness that we announce that Congressman Don Young (R-AK), the Dean of the House and revered Alaskan champion, died today while traveling home to Alaska to be with the state and the people he loved, “the statement said. “His beloved wife Anne was by his side.”
At age 88, Young was the longest-serving member of the House, having entered Congress in 1973. He was the only Alaska member of the House of Representatives for most of the time Alaska has been a state.
Young, a Republican, announced last year that he would run for another term this year.
He survived an attack with COVID-19 that hospitalized him in 2020.
Among other things, Young was famous for his “Alaskan of the Week” presentation, which took place at the end of each week and featured an Alaskan who was doing something remarkable or good for the community.
Young was known for his sense of humor and frankness, and was appreciated by members on both sides of the aisle.
Young was called Fort Yukon, Alaska, a village of about 700 people, home.
“Every day, I try to do something for someone and for some group,” Young once said, according to his office. “And every day I try to learn something new. We all go to the ground the same way. The only thing we leave behind are our successes.”
This is a developing story.
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- United States Congress
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