Remembering Congressman Don Young
Congressman Don Young visiting his old trucking buddy Don Horrell
Jason Hoke - Copper Center
I have known Congressman Don Young for about 11-12 years now. In that time, I have had a great friendship and appreciation for him. I learned so very much about him as a man, a leader, and an Alaskan champion.
Congressman Young was laid in state at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 29th. He was the 43rd person in U.S. history that has held that honor. He was the Dean of the House of Representatives, the longest serving member of the Republican Party.
Many times, he came out to the Copper Valley at my behest, and we had some tours, meetings, and BBQs to talk to Alaskans in this rural area and hear what folks had to say and suggest. He was a good man, my friend, and a hell of an Alaskan, that I shall truly miss.
I had the blessing of meeting with him for about an hour and a half in his DC office, a couple of weeks before he passed. We chewed the fat about business, the Copper Valley, and Alaska.
Don Young told me many times that “Other than Ft. Yukon, this is my favorite place in the state. Beautiful, quiet, and unorganized... don’t ever give into a borough Jason, it’ll change this area, and will make it like the rest of the organized state...too much government once it gets started.” Funny coming from a man that served 49, almost 50 years in public service as our Congressman. Personally, I believe in term limits, but with him...I’m glad they were not in place.
Congressman Don Young visiting the Copper River Basin Child Advocacy Center (CACCRB) in Gakona
It gave me an opportunity and a chance to see a real champion for our state. A man that had the character folks think of in stories about the Last Frontier. Respect, honor, loyalty, hard work, adventure, tell it like it is, damn the torpedoes, and all the opportunities that this land of freedom and frontier has to offer.
I first met Congressman Young at an energy conference in Fairbanks back in about 2011. I had recently started as the Executive Director for Copper Valley Development Association, the Regional ARDOR. I was advocating biomass heat and leading a charge of the wood heat down here in the Copper Valley.
Don and I were at the same table and spent the better part of the day together. He was one of the headline speakers and got up and started by saying “So President Obama, how are you going to get those solar panels to stay on the wings of Air Force One?” He was not afraid to speak his mind.
He kept his mind open, yet was true to his principles, and we hit it off from the start.
Don believed in renewable energy, when and where it made sense, but to think of it exclusively was a mistake. All of us heat, travel, communicate, have clothing, socialize, etc., etc., etc., using hydrocarbon fossil fuels in one way or another. My mom used to say, “Don’t bite off your nose to spite your face.” Don agreed with her. He kept his mind open, yet was true to his principles, and we hit it off from the start. And like in Casablanca, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Once, when in DC and meeting him again for the Road Belt Inter-Tie and some other stuff for CVT, he said to me “Are you here for that damn electrical line again?” “Yup” I said. “ Jason, better to be tenacious than smart. I’m tenacious too. It’s worked for me,” he said. I can’t argue with that. By the way, we can thank him for the Alaska Plan, getting Commissioner Pai from the FCC out here, and the cell coverage we have.
There are many things some people don’t know about Don. First, Don came up in 1957 to teach fifth and sixth grade in Fort Yukon, as well as coach basketball. He was from the Sierra Nevadas in California, and the remote Native Village was nothing like he ever could imagine. I know from when I came to Chistochina as the Teacher/ Administrator in ’96 from Upstate NY.
Congressman Young was a fiercely loyal person.
He and I had very similar beginnings in Alaska, though about 40 years apart. Don and I both shared the fact that we didn’t know diddly about Alaska, the environment, the Native cultures, language, land, climate, hunting, fishing, trapping, animals, and more when we arrived. He and I were like minded in our thanks and appreciation for the Native elders and residents teaching us “outside lower 48ers” about all of it. Nuun’Glaays we were. We sat on the porch of the Rustic Resort once when he was out here, drinking Moscow Mules and smoking cigars, (in a non-election year; Don didn’t drink in election years), having discussions on how ignorant we were initially and how much we learned from those endeared elders and peoples. We both realized that there was too much adventure and opportunity in Alaska, left teaching, and began different adventurous jobs. His path brought him to a half a century career serving Alaska as our Congressman.
One of Don’s earlier businesses before politics was trucking. He and Don Horrell of Tazlina River Trading Post used to meet at Posty’s and swap goods back in the late 60s/early 70s. Don talked to me about those times and how strong the coffee was at Posty’s and the wonderful breakfasts she would make them.
Congressman Young was a fiercely loyal person. A few days after the Tazlina Trading Post burned down last year, on Christmas Eve, he called me shortly after he landed in Anchorage and said “Jason, Don Young here, I heard about Horrell’s place burning down. Damn shame. You tell him I am praying for him and his family and if he needs anything you let me know.” He heard about it back in DC and wanted to try and help Don and family in their time of crisis...especially being the holiday season and he had known Don Horrell for as many years as I’ve been alive...a long time.
He always made a visit to Taz Trading Post when he came out here. When I was there at his office in DC a month ago, first thing he asked me was, “How’s Horrell doing? He get that place rebuilt yet?” “Yes sir, should be open shortly after I get back.” I answered. “Good! If he needs anything, you let me know.” Don remembered people from throughout his life. He made time for folks and always listened.
Congressman Don Young visiting the Scott family in the Tonsina Northern Agriculture Development
When I was applying for the Denali Commission Federal Co-Chair appointment from President Trump, he was a big advocate of mine. I was still working for CVDA and driving back from Mentasta, helping the tribal administration on some things. Around Chistochina, I got a call from a 202 area code number. Being reception is a little sketchy on the Tok Cut, I pulled over. A woman came on the phone and said, “Mr. Hoke, I’m Speaker Paul Ryan’s Assistant and he has Congressman Young in his office. They would like to speak to you.” “By all means Ma’am,” I replied.
“Jason, Don Young here. I’m In Paul Ryan’s office with a letter for him to sign for the PPO (Presidential Personnel Office) in support of your appointment. Go ahead Paul.” After a 15-minute conversation with the Speaker of the House, and Don blurting out “I told you he’s a good kid, I told you he’s on the team, now sign the damn paper.”
The story I got from some staff was he was tired of waiting for the Speaker, and that he had staff type the letter, he marched down to the Speaker’s office with it in hand, burst in, and demanded Paul Ryan call me with him there, then, now, and sign the paper. Speaker Ryan signed the letter of support. Not very long after I received my appointment. He was a loyal friend and man of his word. He got it done. He didn’t wait around, he charged ahead. That was what he did for people, for legislation, for Alaska.
There is something to be said about that. Getting to know one another, discuss things in common, discuss differences of opinion, and hash it out to govern effectively.
Don reached across the aisle and got what he could done for Alaska. He was a fighter and a compassionate man rolled into one. He said to me “Jason, you gotta remember to govern for your people here. Nowadays though, it’s not like it used to be. Plane tickets used to be expensive, there were not many flights, and most Congressmen did not leave DC every weekend. We’d have get togethers. Republicans and Democrats. Sunday after Church, we’d have a BBQ, some horseshoes, let the kids play, and get to know one another. Then, work some things out, hash it out about an issue or something. When we went back to work, we understood and respected each other. That’s when we could get stuff done, and not all this nonsense and squabbling.”
There is something to be said about that. Getting to know one another, discuss things in common, discuss differences of opinion, and hash it out to govern effectively. In my opinion, the extreme polarization of politics today is because they’re not having BBQs with the families, playing horseshoes, and getting to know one another. Understand folks and try to find some common ground.
One of the principles that this country was founded on was a belief that “I may not agree with what you have to say, but I defend your right to say it to the death.” -Patrick Henry (originally Voltaire). Don listened, he may not agree with it, but he could find a way in which you both may agree, or peaceably disagree and compromise. He tried to build bridges and help Alaskans, to make this state and country better for our children.
It’s a tall order to try and fill his shoes, and when it comes to this region, he did a lot of good. I know there is much more about his accomplishments as “Congressman for All of Alaska.” About 50 years’ worth.
I’m going to miss meeting, learning, working, and talking about life with Congressman Young. When I saw him a month ago, he was fired up and sharp as a tack. Energized! He had an old back break that was bothering him. It wasn’t going to stop him. He was ready to come out here this summer campaigning. Don wanted to beat his opponent fair and square in the election, without playing dirty or mudslinging.
Congressman Don Young was one of a kind. Rest in Peace my friend and God Bless. Thank you for your service and dedication.
Congressman Don Young and wife Anne on the Rustic Resort porch
All photos by Jason Hoke
