[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E48-E49]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              REMARKS ON ALASKA AIRLINES FLIGHT 261 CRASH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2000

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in regards to 
yesterday's crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261. In all, an estimated 
88 people lost their lives off the southern coast of California at 4:36 
p.m. Unfortunately, it is too early to know the cause of this 
devastating crash. Our prayers go out to all the family and friends of 
those who lost their loved ones in the crash.
  Among Alaska Airlines Flight 261 were an estimated five Alaskans. 
Included were Malcolm Branson and his fiance, Janice Stokes, both of 
Ketchikan. Also onboard the airplane was Morris Thompson, age 61, his 
wife Thelma and daughter Sheryl. The Thompson's were returning to 
Alaska after a family vacation in Mexico.
  Morris Thompson, Thelma, Lu and I have been friends for more than 40 
years. Thelma, an experienced dog musher and Morris were married a year 
after Lu and I were married. Morris and I followed each other on 
similar paths to public office. Oftentimes we spent time together in 
Juneau, Alaska, when I served in the State Legislature and later in 
Washington, DC where I served as Congressman and Morris served as 
commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
  After his public service, Morris became president and chief executive 
officer of Doyon, Ltd., a Native Corporation formed in 1971 as part of 
the Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act. At Doyon, Morris turned an 
operating loss of $28 million into $70.9 million in revenues and the 
largest private landowning corporation in America. Morris Thompson 
retired in January and was considered a great Native leader, 
businessman, and friend. I had a conversation with Morris just last 
month and he was describing to me the cabin he planned to build on the 
Yukon River and his optimism for the future.
  Morris Thompson, his wife Thelma and daughter Sheryl spent a great 
deal of time with me and my family. In fact, we rang in the New 
Millennium with Sheryl. Sheryl Thompson grew up with our daughters and 
became so close to our family that we considered her part of the 
family. Morris is survived by two young daughters named Nicole and 
Allison and two grandsons Christopher and Warren.
  I will always have fond memories of the Thompson family. Such as 
Morris and I duck hunting on the Yukon River, Thelma mushing her dog's, 
and Sheryl managing the extreme skiing association in Valdez. God Bless 
the memories we have.
  Morris was a good father, leader and friend, as well as being one of 
the great leaders among the Native community. Lu, and I are in shock 
over this tragic loss. Our prayers go out to the Alaska Airlines 
employees and their families, and the families and relatives of the 88 
passengers that were lost.

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