Press Releases

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) statement on the passing of Norman Mineta:

“As the longest serving Secretary of Transportation and first Asian-American cabinet member in U.S. history, Norm Mineta was a giant in American history and looms large as an example of leadership, patriotism, and bipartisanship.  Norm was the son of Japanese immigrants and spent two years in an internment camp during World War II.  But this experience didn’t shake his love of country or his commitment to public service.  When terrorists used our aviation system to attack our Nation on September 11th, Norm quickly made the unprecedented decision to immediately ground every flight in our airspace.  Afterward, he helped lead the way in significantly strengthening the security of our entire transportation system.  Before serving in the cabinets of both Republican and Democratic presidents, Norm played a key role in the House in improving America’s infrastructure, helping to write the ISTEA surface transportation law and then chairing this Committee.  The Nation has lost a true public servant and statesman, and I extend my sincere condolences to his family.”