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Alaskan Congressman Don Young held his first Telephone Town Hall last night, reaching Fairbanks and points north such as Barrow, Point Lay, Nome, Delta Junction, and Fort Yukon. This was the first in what will become a regular event for Rep. Young, as technology advances allow him to keep in better contact with his Alaskan constituents.

The Telephone Town Hall technology allowed constituents in the designated area to opt-in or out of a live phone call with Rep. Young. They were able to stay on the call for as long or as little as they chose, and during the course of the call, could be placed in a queue to ask a question at any point. Rep. Young answered questions concerning illegal immigration, renewable energy, resource development, Medicare, education and the No Child Left Behind act, and bypass mail, as well as personal casework concerns.

"I am thrilled with this new technology," Rep. Young said, after the Town Hall was completed. "It amazes and pleases me that I am able to easily reach so many people and hear so many concerns. Having to be in Washington, D.C. but representing a state as far away as Alaska makes it a bit difficult for me to get home as much as I’d prefer. This allows me to still have a live discussion with people from all over the State, and hear first hand what their concerns are. It also gives me a chance to let people know what we’re working on here, my stances on different legislation, and why I feel the way I do about certain things. I’m looking forward to holding many more of these calls, and being able to call as many people in the State as I can. I hope that the people of Alaska find these calls as beneficial as I do and I look forward to speaking with more Alaskans soon."