AK-AL: Don Young (R)
PROFILE
About Young:
In 2018, Don Young was re-elected to the 116th Congress to serve his 24th term as Alaska’s only representative to the United States House of Representatives.
He was first sworn in as a freshman to the 93rd Congress after winning a special election on March 6, 1973. That same year, he was honored by his colleagues as Freshman Congressman of the Year.
On December 6, 2017, Young became the dean of the U.S. House of Representatives, a title that is given to the longest continuously serving member of the House. As of April 1, 2018, he is the longest-serving member in both the House and Senate of the 116th Congress.
In the 115th Congress, Young was tapped by the House Natural Resources Committee chairman to lead the fight on reauthorizing national fisheries legislation known as the Magnusson-Stevens Act. This was legislation he originally co-authorized in 1975.
Don Young has been named among the top 10 most effective lawmakers in Congress, crediting a laser-like focus on Alaska policy issues and the ability to move bills through the legislative process. He has passed more bills – a majority with an Alaskan focus – into law than any other member of the House of Representatives, and looks forward to building upon these successes.
Young proudly serves as the “Congressman for All Alaska” and loves his role as the only Alaskan representative in the House. Renewed by the challenges and goals of the 116th Congress he pledges to continue to champion legislation and funding for programs benefiting Alaska and the nation. His vision remains the same – to provide citizens with the opportunity for a better life not just for today, but also for tomorrow and the future.
