[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 135 (Friday, September 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING JACK COGHILL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS IN PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 18, 2015

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a 
great Alaskan and someone I am honored and privileged to call my 
friend, Mr. Jack Coghill. Without Jack, I would not be here today as 
the Congressman for all Alaska; I might very well be retired or even 
buried near the banks of the Yukon River.
   Jack's commitment to public service goes back long before Alaska 
statehood. He served as the Mayor of Nenana for 22 years, served in the 
Territorial House from 1952 to 1956 and was a State Senator for the 
first three Legislatures. He rounded out his time in elected office as 
Alaska's sixth Lieutenant Governor from 1990 to 1994.
   Beyond his elected political career, Jack--dubbed ``Mr. 
Republican''--has had a profound impact upon all of Alaska as one of 
the 55 framers of the state constitution.
   On a very personal note, in 1972 Jack was one of the few people who 
believed in me enough to encourage me to run for Congress. Jack not 
only encouraged my run but worked tirelessly in his support of my 
candidacy. None of us knew at that time there would be a horrific 
accident in which Congressman Nick Begich and House Majority Leader Hal 
Boggs would be lost in a flight from Anchorage to Juneau. Due to this 
loss, it was up to the Republican State Central Committee to appoint a 
Republican candidate for the Special election rather than go through a 
formal primary process. Despite many other qualified candidates, Jack 
stood by me and convinced his colleagues on the Central Committee to 
vote in my favor. I am forever thankful for his role in shaping the 
path that has led me to serve as the Congressman for all Alaska these 
past 42 years.

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