Representative Don Young, an Alaska Republican and the longest-serving member of the House has died, his office said Friday night. He was 88.
He died while traveling back to Alaska, his office said in a statement, without providing a cause or any other details. His wife, Anne, was with him at the time.
Young, first elected in 1973, was chairman of both the Natural Resources Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He cut a colorful and occasionally cantankerous figure in Washington. Visitors to his office were greeted by a giant bear hide.
