Members of Congress are mourning the death of Rep. Don Young, Alaska’s sole representative and the longest-serving member of the House.
Republicans and Democrats alike sent out statements commemorating the 88-year-old dean of the House, who first took office in 1973, when former President Richard Nixon was in office.
ALASKA’S DON YOUNG, MOST SENIOR HOUSE MEMBER, DIES AT 88
Republicans championed Young as “a giant” and “a larger-than-life character.”
Don Young was a giant, with a heart as big as the Capitol & a spirit as strong as the Alaskan wild.
His absence will leave Congress less colorful & less punctual. But his decades of service filled every room & touched every member. Anne & his children have my deepest sympathies. pic.twitter.com/0hNIybapDD
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) March 19, 2022
Sad to hear my friend and colleague Rep Don Young passed away tonight. As the House Dean, he was both loved and respected. I pray that Heavenly Father comforts his family at this time. I will miss you, my friend.
— Burgess Owens (@BurgessOwens) March 19, 2022
Don Young was a lion and a man in full. It was an honor to serve with him. America mourns and prays for his family. pic.twitter.com/KLudLwEon7
— Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) March 19, 2022
He took great pride in his constituent service and working to improve the lives of Alaskans.
A large legacy for a giant man.
Rest In Peace my friend.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 19, 2022
Don was coming home to the place that he loved, and to the people that loved him best. We love you, Don. pic.twitter.com/lSvkVAQqR4
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) March 19, 2022
The House of Representatives has lost an icon. My dad and I both served in the House with Don Young. We are praying for Anne and the whole Young family. Our full statement is below. pic.twitter.com/WwfFETVLsU
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) March 19, 2022
Sad to hear the news of Don Young’s passing. Don was not just the Dean of the House, he was also a dear friend and a true legend of Congress. Don was a tireless fighter for Alaska who loved the outdoors, including his trips down to Louisiana to fish.
Don will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/fEVM34VdC3
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) March 19, 2022
Democrats acknowledged ideological disparities with Young, even as they lamented the loss of his “dedication to moving our country forward through bipartisanship” and “one of a kind wit.”
Don Young and I didn’t always agree on policy, but I always admired how fiercely he championed Alaska Natives and kept his constituents’ best interests at heart. His dedication to moving our country forward through bipartisanship will continue to be a model for us all. pic.twitter.com/NqcsMEWK5J
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) March 19, 2022
First elected in 1973 during the Nixon Administration, Rep. Don Young was the dean of the Congress and the longest serving Republican in history. His fiercely independent voice for Alaska and one of a kind wit and character will be missed. Rest in peace, Don.
— Rep. Dean Phillips ?? (@RepDeanPhillips) March 19, 2022
I’ll miss Don Young. He was a good partner with me as co-chair of the Critical Elements Caucus in Congress. We believed America’s God given rare earth resources were better to rely on than China’s and that we should invest more in them. RIP, Dean Young.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) March 19, 2022
He laughed heartily and often, and lived up to the legends that abound about him. I will miss seeing him sit in his usual place on the floor, ever ready to make noise when votes run long.
— Rep. Abigail Spanberger (@RepSpanberger) March 19, 2022
I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my colleague, Rep. Don Young.
A tireless fighter for Alaska and an unparalleled public servant, he welcomed me warmly in the short time we served together.
I am sending my condolences to his family, his friends, and all Alaskans.
— Rep. Shontel Brown (@RepShontelBrown) March 19, 2022
Former House members also praised Young.
His staff was equally as kind and helpful to my staff and we eventually worked on many good things together for our country. I credit him with helping me get legislation passed, for supporting me through my confirmation, and for showing me what public service really meant. (3/5)
— Secretary Deb Haaland (@SecDebHaaland) March 19, 2022
Don Young welcomed me immediately into the House of Representatives. He loved the bourbon I gave him too. When I first visited his office, a staffer snapped a pic of me and him… he signed it and had it delivered to my office. I hung it immediately.
RIP, Congressman Don Young https://t.co/2rdRsGVIQw
— Denver Riggleman (@RepRiggleman) March 19, 2022
Even John Boehner, the former speaker of the House who was threatened by Young with a knife on the House floor in 2017, said he would miss the Alaska representative.
Don Young was one of a kind. A leader devoted to his state and his constituents. A man with the courage to walk his own path and do things his own way. I miss him already. R.I.P. @repdonyoung https://t.co/tYapLaIqKi
— John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) March 19, 2022
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The flags at the Capitol will be brought down to half-staff in Young’s honor, a spokesman for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced early Saturday.
The new dean of the House will be Hal Rogers, an 84-year-old Republican from Kentucky, having served since 1981.
