Congresswoman Aumua Amata congratulated Congressman Don Young of Alaska, now the longest serving Republican member of Congress and breaking the previous record of 46 years.
He is a good friend of American Samoa, sharing ties to the Pacific region; he and Rep. Amata often co-sponsor the same legislation.
Aumua said, “Remarkably, Congressman Young has served in Congress since 1973, the same year my family added my daughter Erika Leatavalavala.”
“He’s served during nine different presidents’ administrations.”
Last year, Rep. Young also became the longest serving current member of the entire House of Representatives, making him the Dean of the House.
“American Samoa and Alaska share a number of the same legislative priorities based on the Pacific region, the fishing industry, our great geographic distance from the 48 contiguous states, and having remote areas far from services,” concluded Amata.
For context on Congressman Young’s historic service, the oldest House office building, situated across from the U.S. Capitol on Independence Avenue, is named for the late Speaker Cannon, whose historic record he is replacing.
