Washington, D.C. – Congressman for All Alaska Don Young was a guest speaker today at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention being held in Anchorage. After recognizing the AFN as "the most influential economic and political influence in the State of Alaska," he reiterated his continuing support for legislation that advances Alaska Native issues.

Congressman Young took this time to speak on the importance of Alaska Native Corporations (ANC), which he has been a very active advocate of in both Alaska and Washington, D.C. ANC contracting has been and is a good thing for the government and a good thing for Native Americans. The program, as it relates to businesses owned by Alaska Natives and Native American Tribes, has been one of the few Federal Native programs that are actually working. It creates job opportunities, and encourages development of small businesses.

Congressman Young also took a moment to thank Cynthia Ahwinona, an Inupiat woman from Nome, who has been on his staff handling Native Alaskan legislative issues for twenty-six years. Combined with his wife Lu, Congressman Young has a strong team of Alaska Native women behind him and supporting him. He will continue to fight for Alaska Natives in Congress and will continue to fight for all of his Alaskan constituents.

Congressman Young was honored to be invited to speak at AFN again this year, and thanks all those who made the Convention possible.