Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson announced Monday, March 21 that he wants to rename the Port of Alaska after the late Congressman Don Young (R-AK), who died unexpectedly earlier this month.
A release from the mayor’s office stated that Bronson plans to seek approval from the state Assembly to convene a citizen naming panel and start the process to rename the port as the “Don Young Port of Alaska.”
The mayor said he wanted to rename the port in memory of Young, a champion for the state and a big supporter of the port. As chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Young was instrumental in bringing federal dollars to the port.
“His tireless work for Alaska over the last 49 years has made a tremendous impact across generations for the Port of Alaska, which provides food and supplies for 90 percent of the state,” Bronson said. “He met with my administration multiple times to help expedite permitting, secure funding, and advance the Port Modernization Program. I am asking for the Anchorage Assembly to join me in honoring Congressman Young in recognition for all that he did for the municipality.”
