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u.s. news Diaranson 30 Maart 2022

Washington honors Alaska’s fiery, tireless defender in House

(AP) — Tugboat captain, vocating for what some de-
teacher, gold prospector rided as the “bridge to no-
and longest-serving Re- where,” a project that became
publican in the history of a national symbol of federal
the House. The late Rep. pork-barrel spending. The
Don Young is being re- funding for the project was
membered for all of that later rescinded and the proj-
and more as the country ect was eventually scrapped.
pays its respects to the But the controversy over the
only congressman Alaska project helped fuel a decade-
has had for nearly a half- long ban on congressional
century. earmarks.

Young died on a flight to Young’s rough edges could
Alaska earlier this month. He lead him into trouble. He
was 88. Former colleagues once waved a walrus penis
will honor him at midday bone at the new female leader
Tuesday as he joins the se- of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
lect few chosen to lie in state Service during a committee
at the Capitol. President Joe hearing. He was forced to
Biden is expected to pay his apologize to Fairbanks high
respects in the afternoon. school students for his use of
vulgarity in describing a sex
Young was first elected to the act, and when he used a ra-
House in 1973. That year, he cial slur to refer to Hispanic
helped secure the Trans-Alas- migrant workers in a radio
ka Pipeline, which transports interview.
crude oil from the north
slope of Alaska to the state’s The House Ethics Commit-
southern coast and provides a tee rebuked Young in 2014
critical source of funding for for improperly converting
the state’s government and campaign funds for personal
its residents. He also played use and for accepting imper-
a leading role in protect- missible gifts.
ing Alaska’s fisheries from said from the Senate floor last George H.W. Bush called developing more of Alaska’s
unregulated foreign fleets, week. Young “Moose” and they natural resources, such as oil, When Young became the
dramatically extending U.S. played racquetball often. gas and timber, and he was longest-serving member of
jurisdiction to 200 nautical Young had some close races, Young had Dungeness crab often at odds with conser- the House, in late 2017, the
miles. but many were landslides. flown in to eat with President vationists and environmen- Fairbanks Daily News-Min-
He won his latest reelection George W. Bush. And during tal groups concerned about er remembered many of his
While his legislative accom- bid with 54.4% of the vote one visit to the Clinton White the harm such development steps and missteps in an edi-
plishments were significant, and was intent on winning House, the president urged could do to the environment. torial, “What to make of Rep.
he is also remembered for a reelection this November to Young to stay, but Young said Young’s career.”
personality that could be as a 26th term. he would need a hall pass. He also worked to steer as
rough as the Alaska tundra many federal dollars as he “Rep. Young’s brash language
that helped shape his political “Alaskans have been generous “So he got a handwritten could to the state. On that has landed him in hot water
views. with their support for me be- note from President Clinton, front, he was one of the few on multiple occasions as well.
cause they know I get the job writing to the speaker of the Republicans in the House to Even so, there is no denying
“He was colorful — as color- done,” he said in 2016. “I’ll House: ‘Dear Mr. Speaker. vote for the bipartisan infra- Rep. Young has done great
ful as they come. He could defend my state to the dying Please excuse Don Young structure plan last year that things for Alaska,” the paper
be tough; he could be gruff; breath, and I will always do from voting tonight. We are called for $550 billion in new concluded. “Whether he re-
he could be very feisty, but he that and they know that.” having cigars at the White spending on roads, bridges, tires next year or in five years,
was also warm, engaging. He Young’s tenure in Congress House,’” Sullivan recalled. airports and rail over five his decades-long career gives
was charming, but, most of coincided with that of 10 years. us plenty to chew on when
all, he was passionate,” Sen. presidents. Sen. Dan Sulli- On the legislative front, we think of his time in of-
Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, van, R-Alaska, recalled that Young was adamant about Young’s work included ad- fice.”

1st Latina justice takes seat on California Supreme Court

(AP) — The first Latina sion restored the four-female Guerrero, 50, of San Diego,
to serve on the California majority on the seven mem- who grew up in the agricul-
Supreme Court was sworn ber court, Cantil-Sakauy tural Imperial Valley, said in
in Monday as officials noted. brief remarks that she is the
praised the historic el- product of “the courage, the
evation of appellate judge Guerrero, the daughter of sacrifices and the struggles of
Patricia Guerrero to the Mexican immigrants, brings my parents and my grandpar-
state’s highest court. a “different perspective than ents.”
has ever been offered on
“It made history for us and this court,” said Gov. Gavin “They came to this country
the future of California,” said Newsom before administer- knowing that it would not be
Chief Justice Tani Cantil- ing the oath of office. easy for them,” she said. “But
Sakauye. She added that “it is like so many others, they
such a substantive and well- But Newsom said his ap- came here with hope — hope
deserved appointment.” pointment of Guerrero “is of a brighter future for their
not just about first, this is children, the pursuit ... of the Guerrero fills the vacancy left Justice Mariano-Florentino
Moreover, Guerrero’s ascen- about best.” American Dream.” in October when Associate Cuéllar stepped down.