The Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) was deeply saddened to learn about the death of U.S. Representative Don Young. Representative Young was a powerful leader and his devotion to Alaska and to the Y-K Delta was admirable. On behalf of the AVCP region, we give our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Representative Don Young. We wish you all courage, strength, and love to help you through this loss.
At the March 22nd AVCP Executive Board of Directors meeting, the Board passed a resolution in recognition of the outstanding service and achievements of Congressman Don Young.
AVCP Executive Board RESOLUTION 22-03-04
Resolution in Recognition of the Outstanding Service and Achievements of Congressman Don Young
WHEREAS The Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) is the recognized tribal organization and non-profit Alaska Native regional corporation for its fifty-six member indigenous Native villages within Western Alaska; and
WHEREAS AVCP fully supports its member villages in all aspects of their self-dete1mination, health and well-being; and
WHEREAS Congressman Don Young was born in Meridian, California, on June 9, 1933, and, after serving in the United States Army 41st Tank Battalion, he moved to Alaska in 1959; and
WHEREAS He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in a special election on March 5, 1973; and
WHEREAS He served as chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee from 1995 to 2001, and then as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from 2001 to 2007; and
WHEREAS He worked tirelessly to benefit the people of Alaska, including tribes and tribal communities. His many accomplishments include introducing the Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act in 2016 (passed by voice vote); serving as a member of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the U.S. and vice chair of the Native American caucus; co-sponsor of Savanna’s Act and the House version of the Not Invisible Act in 2020; and a strong supporter of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and special criminal jurisdiction for Alaska Tribes; and
WHEREAS At the time of his passing, on March 18, 2022, Congressman Young was serving his 25th term as Alaska’s only Representative to the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Young was the Dean of the House and the longest serving member of the 117th Congress.
Now THEREFORBE E IT RESOLVED that the Association of Village Council Presidents Executive Board expresses its sincere appreciation for the life of service of Congressman Don Young, “Congressman for all Alaska.”
Now THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Association of Village Council Presidents Executive Board extends its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Congressman Young.
ADOPTED by the Association of Village Council Presidents Executive Board during its regular meeting at Bethel, Alaska on this 22nd day of March, 2022.
Thaddeus J. Tikiun, Chairman
Vivian Korthuis, Chief Executive Officer
