President Biden pays respects to Rep. Don Young, who passed away Friday at 88

US President Joe Biden issued a statement in tribute to Representative Don Young (R-Alaska-At-large), who passed away on Friday at 88 years old, saying the late Congressman was “larger than life.”

Biden remembers the Dean of the House

The White House released the official statement from the President on Saturday. President Biden wrote,

He was larger than life, but always focused on Alaskans’ everyday lives.

He continued,

There is no doubt that few legislators have left a greater mark on their state. Don’s legacy lives on in the infrastructure projects he delighted in steering across Alaska. In the opportunities he advanced for his constituents. In the enhanced protections for Native tribes he championed.

The President also reflected on his time working alongside Young in Congress.

I knew Don Young for a long time. He always stayed true to who he was and the people of Alaska he represented. Tough. Loyal. A consensus builder.

In a social media post, the President offered his condolences to Young’s family.

Jill and I send our prayers to his wife Anne, to his daughters and the entire Young family, and to the people of Alaska.

Correction

An earlier version of this article mistakenly listed Representative Don Young as a Senator. In fact he was the Dean of the House (i.e., its longest then-currently-serving member). Likewise, the Senate delegation from Alaska remains intact.