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]
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 commomorate 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
Session
Short description
Synopsis as introduced
Bill number
Date introduced
Senate
Assembly
Governor
Sponsor
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