Bill Overview
Title: Don Young Recognition Act
Description: This act designates (1) the volcanic peak known as Mount Cerberus as Mount Young; (2) the Jobs Corps center located at 800 East Lynn Martin Drive in Palmer, Alaska, as the Don Young Alaska Job Corps Center; and (3) the federal office building located at 101 12th Avenue in Fairbanks, Alaska, as the Don Young Federal Office Building.
Sponsors: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Target Audience
Population: People in Alaska interacting with renamed landmarks or services
Estimated Size: 8000
- The bill involves renaming a volcanic peak, a Job Corps center, and a federal office building in Alaska.
- Mount Cerberus is a volcanic peak in Alaska, and renaming it to Mount Young impacts primarily Alaskans and those familiar with the location.
- The Job Corps center in Palmer, Alaska, serves young people with job training services, directly affecting individuals who are part of or associated with the center.
- The federal office building in Fairbanks serves various governmental functions, impacting federal employees and the public who access services there.
Reasoning
- The population directly affected by this bill includes residents of Alaska, particularly those in Palmer and Fairbanks familiar with or using the Job Corps Center and federal office building.
- The renaming of a volcanic peak will likely have low to no impact on individuals' day-to-day lives, but it might influence those who hold a sentimental or historical connection to the area.
- People's self-reported wellbeing in response to this policy largely depends on their personal connection or stance concerning Don Young and the symbolic renaming of these sites.
Simulated Interviews
Job Corps instructor (Palmer, Alaska)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm happy the Job Corps Center is being recognized with the Don Young name. I believe this will bring more attention and possibly more resources to the center.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Federal employee (Fairbanks, Alaska)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a nice gesture, acknowledging Don Young's contributions. Doesn't really affect my daily life or work though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Hiker and local guide (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The renaming of Mount Cerberus doesn't change my experience of hiking it, but names carry history that I think should be respected.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Retired teacher (Fairbanks, Alaska)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate Don Young's work, so this is a fitting tribute. Not sure how it affects me, but I understand some might feel differently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Job Corps participant (Palmer, Alaska)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think having a well-known politician's name associated might make the center more reputable. Not sure if it'll make a big difference for us here though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
State government employee (Juneau, Alaska)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This renaming doesn't directly affect me, though Don Young's legacy is something people here, especially in politics, often discuss.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Park ranger (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changing the name will require some adjustment in what we teach. Not sure it's really necessary, but it's manageable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Retired (Palmer, Alaska)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen names change over the years. It's part of life here, I suppose. How young people relate to these new names will be interesting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Small business owner (Fairbanks, Alaska)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hopeful this might bring more recognition and thus more foot traffic to this part of town. Anything named after Don Young usually sees some interest.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Activist (Fairbanks, Alaska)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerned the renaming might overshadow pressing issues at the centers themselves. Names don't change the reality of what goes on inside.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $200000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The costs of renaming federal buildings, peaks, and centers are largely administrative and involve physical signage updates.
- The potential for public opposition or support in Alaska for renaming landmarks could influence future considerations for similar policies.
- Legal implications are minimal if the process is facilitated through legislated approval, but any required consultations could add minor costs.