TL;DR: A big topic of discussion amongst Fairbanksans currently is Governor Mike Dunleavy’s proposed legislation to rename the Fairbanks International Airport as tribute to Don Young.
With Young’s strong and vocal political stances, many residents have taken to the newspaper in response, and are anywhere from disappointed to infuriated. In the list of local objections, many speak to the fact that: Young had never actually lived in Fairbanks; he has been under allegations of criminal scrutiny many times for political practices; it will be a hefty expense to change way-making signage; and the consideration of instead naming our airport after a respective Native elder.
A big topic of discussion amongst Fairbanksans currently is Governor Mike Dunleavy’s proposed legislation to rename the Fairbanks International Airport as a tribute to Don Young.
With Young’s strong and vocal political stances, many residents have taken to the newspaper in response, and are anywhere from disappointed to infuriated. In the list of local objections, many speak to the fact that: Young had never actually lived in Fairbanks; he has been under allegations of criminal scrutiny many times for political practices; it will be a hefty expense to change way-making signage; and the consideration of instead naming our airport after a respective Native elder.
Don Young was Alaska’s longest-serving Republican congressman, assuming office from 1973 to his death on an airplane in 2022. His work was focused on the development of the state rather than preservation, with a commitment to Alaska’s oil, mineral and logging industries. His position on the House Natural Resources Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee furthered his development agenda, creating highways, bridges, and pipelines. Before he was a congressman, Young made a living in trapping, gold panning, and construction.
Don Young already has the Fairbanks federal office building, the Job Corps center based out of Palmer, and even a volcano named after him.
Here are some references we found helpful:
- Dunleavy Introduces Legislation to Rename the FAI to Don Young Fairbanks International Airport
- Dunleavy proposes renaming Fairbanks International Airport after Don Young
- Letter to the Editor: Airport name alternatives worthy of consideration
- Letter to the Editor: Celebrate someone who flew closer to home
- Letter to the Editor: It’s a ‘no’ to a Don Young airport
- Letter to the Editor: Leave the Fairbanks airport name as it is
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