Alaska's leadership lauds late congressman at memorial

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Members of Alaska's political leadership lauded the late U.S. Rep. Don Young Saturday at a public memorial to celebrate his life.

Young, who was the longest-serving Republican in the history of the U.S. House, died March 19. He was 88.

“Don was one who could not only count the years in his life, but he could count the life in his years. He lived a great life, it was full. He lived those 88 years to the fullest,” U.S., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said.

According to Alaska's News Source, Murkowski noted that Young was only the 43rd American citizen to have been given the privilege to lie in state at the Capitol, calling it the highest tribute a member of Congress can have.

“I learned very early on you never ever underestimate Don Young, for Don never forgot where he came from,” Murkowski said. “Don Young was a man of the people, and he built relationships that endured because they were honest, they were true, and he was loyal.”

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, beamed with pride about how Young pushed an amendment through Congress during his first term that helped begin the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

“Probably more than any member of the House, Don Young knew how to get things done,” Sullivan said. “In D.C. there are talkers and doers, show horses and work horses. From day one, Don was doer, a work horse, and man did that matter to all of us here in Alaska.”

Gov. Mike Dunleavy said that on the way into the memorial service, he replayed old voicemails that Young left him.

“Don Young was not just a congressman, he was a human being first and foremost,” Dunleavy said.

Young was the longest-serving Republican in the history of the U.S. House, serving 49 years. He was known as the dean of the House for his seniority. He had an at-times brash, abrasive...