Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives recognized Alaska Congressman Don Young for becoming Dean of the House. House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi both spoke about Congressman Young’s new role as the Dean and his years of service.
“This milestone is a matter of longevity, but the word that comes to mind when I think of Don Young is ‘loyalty.’ He is fiercely loyal to the people of Alaska and fights hard for what he believes is right,” said Speaker Ryan. “That is what makes this such a great moment. Decades on, he still believes as much as anyone in the work of this body.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan and Congressman Young
“As Dean, Congressman Young will now have the special responsibility not only of defending the Constitution but of defending the integrity and dignity of this institution which he has done all along,” said Leader Pelosi. “Following in the footsteps of great leaders before him, Sam Rayburn, John Quincy Adams, Carl Vinson, it is now Don’s solemn duty to help foster a climate of civility in the Congress and to hold our colleagues accountable.”
Anne Young, Congressman Young and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
“I have been in this House for 45 years with 9 Presidents and 9 Speakers and I have served with nearly 2,000 Members. I love this body,” said Congressman Young. “One of the things I have enjoyed during my time are the friendships…I believe in bipartisanship. I believe in this body to lead the nation. My heart is in this House.”
Congressman Don Young, Dean of the House
To watch the full remarks made on the House Floor, click here.
In the House, the Member with the longest continuous service is recognized as Dean, a tradition derived from the English Parliament. Congressman Young is the first Republican to become Dean of the House since 1933 and is the 12th longest serving Member in the history of the House of Representatives.
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