Dear Alaskans,
I'm very excited to be back home in Alaska! During this state work period, I'm traveling our state to listen to the ideas and concerns of Alaskans. This week, I had a very productive visit in Southeast, and I wanted to take a moment to update you on my travels and discussions. Although I am in Alaska, our work hasn't stopped in Washington, D.C., I continue to introduce legislation and announce federal grant funding for Alaska. It is a great honor to represent you in Congress, and I hope you will share this newsletter with friends and family members. As always, should you have any questions or concerns about issues before Congress, do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Don Young
Congressman for All Alaska
Meeting with the City and Native Village of Saxman
I had a great time visiting the City of Saxman this week, and I was very happy to meet leaders from the Native Village of Saxman. At our socially-distanced forum, we discussed a range of issues, including renewable energy, the recent passage of my Save Our Seas 2.0 Act to clean up the ocean, and how to safely prepare for the 2021 cruise season. I especially appreciated the support for the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act – my legislation that recently passed through the House to empower tribes across the country. I want to thank everyone who joined us today and brought great questions. Mayor Frank Seludo has always been a steadfast advocate for Alaska Natives. I’m proud to know him and I am grateful for his hospitality!
Touring the Ward Cove Dock
While I was in Ketchikan this week, I toured the Ward Cove dock, a development spearheaded by father and son team Dave and Andrew Spokely, with the help of John Binkley. This is a crucially important piece of infrastructure, and it is much needed. I'm grateful that these investments are being made as we work toward a safe and successful 2021 cruise season. This is yet another example of the expertise, know-how, and relentless ingenuity of Alaskans, and I am proud that these entrepreneurs call our state home. Thanks for the great tour! Click here to watch my short video update from Ward Cove.
Discussions with Local Leaders in Sitka
It was great to being back in Sitka! I had a very productive meeting with Mayor Gary Paxton, Administrator John Leach, and Utility Director Scott Elder at city hall. I appreciated the opportunity to deliver a Washington, D.C. update and discuss a range of issues, including Sitka’s hydropower infrastructure, how to better support our fisheries, and strategies for getting Sitka through these unprecedented times. Alaskans are resilient, and I know that this tight-knight community will be able to come out of this pandemic stronger than ever. I'm proud to be Sitka's partner in Congress, and I will continue fighting for their future.
Roundtable with the Sitka Tribe
Empowering Alaska Natives and expanding economic opportunity in their communities has always been one of my highest priorities in Congress. I sincerely appreciated the chance to update members of the Sitka Tribe on my efforts in D.C. to expand economic opportunity, promote tribal sovereignty, bolster safety in our villages, and finally get our Alaska Native Vietnam veterans the land allotments they’ve earned. I always love being back in Southeast, and I am proud to fight for Alaska Natives in Congress. Thank you for hosting me!
Checking in on Alaskan Small Businesses
These are truly unprecedented times, and family owned businesses across the country are suffering. Our Alaskan mom and pop stores are feeling it as well. This week, I stopped into Highliner Coffee in Sitka to check in on our business owners and discuss strategies for keeping the doors open, maintaining employees on the payroll, and ensuring that customers remain safe. I want to thank coffee shop owner Melissa Thorsen-Broschat for updating me on their operations, and for sharing her ideas to help get businesses like hers through this pandemic. By working together, I am confident that we can come out of this stronger than ever.
Sealaska Heritage Institute
I had a very productive meeting with Sealaska and representatives from the Sealaska Heritage Institute. Their arts campus is currently being built, and significant progress has been made on its construction. Once completed, the new arts center will help make Juneau a global leader in the arts, and help secure Alaska Native culture and traditions for generations to come.
During our meeting, we discussed a range of issues, including the Alaska Native Education Program's successes and opportunities, Southeast's hydropower infrastructure, and how we can help Alaska Natives weather the storm of this pandemic. I want to thank Sealaska President and CEO Anthony Mallott, Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl, and Inside Passage Electric Cooperative CEO Jodi Mitchell, not only for a productive meeting, but also for their longtime advocacy. I'm proud to be their partner in Congress, and I look forward to continuing to stand up for all Alaska Natives in Washington, D.C.
Strengthening Our Aviation Sector
I’m teaming up with my good friends, Congressmen Rick Larsen (D-WA) and André Carson (D-IN), to help make the friendly skies safer than ever. Alaska's geography is incredibly unique. Because of this, aviation has become a central part of our state's culture and transportation needs. The need for pilots in our state will continue to grow, and if Alaska's aviation sector is to succeed, we must ensure that the next generation of aviators, mechanics, and other professionals have the training and support necessary to succeed.
As a pilot myself, I am proud to introduce this crucial legislation. This bill takes important steps to promote aerospace education, develop our next generation aviation workforce, and improve the safety of our skies. This legislation is urgently needed, and I will continue working to get it across the finish line so that the dreams of Alaska's future pilots can take flight. Read more by clicking here.
Safe and Healthy Homes for Alaska Native Communities
My children and grandchildren are Alaska Native, which makes the health and safety of families in our Native villages deeply personal. All too often, some of our most vulnerable populations are forced to live in homes that have been neglected, creating dangerous hazards for children. We must be doing all that we can to ensure that families in both public and private housing remain safe where they live. The safety of Alaska’s next generation will always be one of my highest priorities. I am very pleased that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has invested nearly $4 million in Alaska, and it is my great hope that we can continue working toward a future where everyone is safe in their homes, and empowered to live healthy, dignified lives. Click here to read more.
