I would like to respond to Elise Patkotak's piece dated Oct. 20, 2010, "2010: Year of the stealth candidate" and her remark that I am running a lackadaisical campaign. I've never been one to campaign via the media. I instead choose to travel our great state and speak to those who this job is all about -- Alaskans.
I have traveled throughout Alaska during this campaign, and I would like to thank the individuals and organizations that have graciously taken time out of their busy schedules to meet with me on a variety of issues affecting Alaskans during this campaign. I can honestly say that it was an honor and a privilege to sit down with Alaska residents from Southeast to Barrow.
I'd like to thank the Association of Village Council Presidents for allowing me to hear your concerns during the annual convention in Bethel and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation for hosting a community dinner during the same visit.
I'd like to thank the City of Nome and the Bering Straits Leadership Team for hosting a great community event and for discussing a range of issues important to the region, and KNOM and the Nome Nugget for interviewing me.
I'd like to thank the City of Sitka, the Sitka Chamber of Commerce, and the board, students, and faculty of Mt. Edgecumbe High School for giving me the opportunity to hear what was on your minds. That was a great opportunity to hear from young Alaskans from all over the state. And I'd like to thank the private business and individuals I met in your great town while weathered in and waiting for a flight to Ketchikan.
My apologies to the residents and organizations from Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island. As you know, the 90-mile- per-hour winds prevented my departure from Sitka and I had to cancel my travels to your area. However, I will be back in the near future.
I'd like to thank the Juneau Chamber of Commerce for hosting the first debate of the campaign and for all the great questions posed during our hour-long discussion.
I'd like to thank the residents of Valdez and especially the students and faculty of Valdez High School. I was highly impressed by the quality of the questions and the knowledge of the students. Thank you to the Coast Guard for talking with me about how to make our waters safer in Alaska.
I'd like to thank the residents of Copper Center, Glennallen, Mentasta Lake, Tok, Delta Junction and Fairbanks. Our community and constituent meetings were extremely beneficial in helping guide me to represent you in Congress.
I'd like to thank Alaska Airlines and ERA Airlines and all of Alaska's dedicated air traffic employees for ensuring safe travel to all Alaska destinations.
Finally, thank you to the Alaska Federation of Natives. I was humbled by receiving the Denali Award last Thursday during the convention in Fairbanks. Words cannot express how moved I am.
I continue traveling throughout the state as I have for almost 50 years and working with people from all walks of life to discuss the issues that impact Alaska. In the coming week I look forward to addressing the joint Palmer and Wasilla Chambers of Commerce, the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce and Mr. Gutsky's government class at Soldotna Middle School. I also look forward to addressing the World Trade Center in Anchorage, attending the Abused Women's Aid In Crisis annual fundraising dinner this coming weekend and to visiting with organizations and individuals in the Anchorage area.
Alaska is a diverse state with many varied interests. I enjoy representing all of Alaska and will continue working hard on behalf of our great state as I have done for the past 19 terms in Congress. The next session of Congress will bring many opportunities to move Alaska's economic agenda forward and I will proudly advocate Alaska's best interests if re-elected as Alaska's one congressman.
Republican Don Young is running for his 20th term as Alaska's member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
By REP. DON YOUNG