Rep. Don Young (R-AK) has reached another milestone in his decades-long career. Earlier this month, Rep. Young became the longest-serving Republican in Congress.
His time in the U.S. House has spanned 46 years. Young was sworn into the House on March 14, 1973, after winning a special election on March 6.
A life-long sportsman, Rep. Young won the SCI Legislator of the Year Award. He has served several terms as a member of the NRA Board of Directors.
“When you think about the legislative accomplishments for Alaska, there’s really nothing that Don didn’t lead on in the House,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in a statement, reported in the Anchorage Daily News.
Serving as Chairman of the House Resources Committee in the mid 1990s (now the House Natural Resources Committee), Congressman Young was in a unique position to help the nation’s hunters and outdoors sportsmen. The committee had jurisdiction over fisheries, wildlife, forest reserves, national parks and public lands in general.
There are at least 75 members of the U.S. House who were not yet born when Young first came to Washington, reported Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper.
“I would like to add my personal congratulations to someone who has always had the interests of this great country’s sportsmen and women at the forefront,” said SCI President Paul Babaz. “Our membership appreciates the hard work Congressman Young has done in protecting our rights. Here’s to another 46 years!”
