Don Young was first elected to Congress in a 1973 special election to fill the seat of Representative Nick Begich, who had been presumed dead following his disappearance in a 1972 plane crash. Young would go on to be re-elected to 24 full terms, becoming the Dean of the House in December 2017.[1] He died in office on March 18, 2022, while flying from Los Angeles to Seattle on his way back to Alaska.[2]
Young lay in state in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall on March 29, 2022, before his memorial service. He was the 43rd person to have this honor since 1852.
On March 18, 2023, the one year anniversary of Young's death, Alaska GovernorMike Dunleavy issued a proclamation declaring that day to be Don Young Day, encouraging "all Alaskans to celebrate and honor the contributions of Congressman Don Young through his lifetime of service to the State of Alaska and to the United States of America."[3] On March 27, State RepresentativeCraig Johnson introduced House Bill 141, to commemorate Don Young Day each year on June 9, Young's birthday. The bill passed the House and Senate, respectively, on April 20 and May 16, and was signed into law by Governor Dunleavy on August 26.[1][4] Rather than create a new public holiday, the bill establishes Don Young Day to "be observed by suitable observances and exercises by civil groups and the public."[4]
Legislative history
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Short description
Synopsis as introduced
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33rd
Don Young Day
An Act establishing June 9 of each year as Don Young Day.
(federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies
