Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I want to give tribute to Don's wife Anne and to his daughters, Joni and Dawn, his sister, but his family goes well beyond that. I have a number of statements from former alumni of the Don Young staffer world that submitted statements. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record several statements written by former staffers of Congressman Don Young: Michael Henry, Pamela Day, C.J. Zane, Sherrie Slick, Duncan Smith, Zack Brown, Jerry Hood, Jim Coon, Sophia Varnasidis, Lisa Pittman, Colin Chapman, Holly Lyons, David Schaffer, Jason Suslavich. Michael Henry Staffer to Dean Donald Edwin Young (R-AK)--Personal Office (June 1996-November 1997) House Committee on Resources (November 1997-January 2000) House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (January 20001-November 2002) Since the world lost the Dean of the House of Representatives, Congressman for all Alaska, husband to Anne, father to Joni and Dawn, friend and mentor, Don Young, I have been asked several times to share a story or memory. How do you sum up a person so impactful to your life, such a big personality and titan legislator? I have been frozen, unable to share much to encapsulate the man so important to so many, including my family. What keeps returning to my mind is the dichotomy of Don Young. He was both gruff and held as large a heart as anyone I have ever met. He was strategic in what he did and said and will be remembered for what appeared as gaffs.…”