[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 145 (Monday, September 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E 1793]]


                TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN NORMAN Y. MINETA

                                 ______


                            HON. BUD SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 1995

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, In 3 short weeks, Congress will lose one of 
its most valued Democrat Members and at the same time, I will say 
goodbye to one of my closest friends. After nearly 21 years in the 
House of Representatives, Congressman Norman, Y. Mineta is leaving to 
take a job in the private sector. Today, I would like my House 
colleagues to pause a moment and remember this truly remarkable man.
  In his remarks at the press conference announcing his retirement, 
Norm said something which simply but eloquently encapsulates his career 
in public service. He said, ``It is fair to say that I have been a 
builder throughout my life.''
  Norm came to the Public Works and Transportation Committee in 1975 
along with eight other Democrat freshmen; 18 years later, he became 
committee chairman. During the span of time, he chaired four of the 
panel's subcommittees, proving time and again a knack for understanding 
the details of committee jurisdiction as well as a grasp of the overall 
importance of infrastructure investment to the economy and well-being 
of this Nation.
  In particular, he was a spokesman for urban America, having been, 
even at a tender age, a city father to San Jose, which rose from a 
sleepy South Bay community in the shadow of San Francisco to become the 
third-largest city in California. His experiences as a mayor helped him 
provide this committee with insight on the need for and development of 
mass transit systems.
  No mention of Norm goes without recognition of his untiring advocacy 
on behalf of those of his ethnic heritage. Early on in his native San 
Jose, he was eyed as a prodigal son of the Japanese-American community. 
Norm unflinchiningly assumed this responsibility, culminating in the 
passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which included reparations 
for Japanese-Americans interned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and 
then-California Gov. Earl Warren during World War II.
  As his career highlights demonstrate, Norm has not been bashful in 
standing up for his beliefs. I remember when he headed the Aviation 
Subcommittee during the 1980's and was such a strong advocate for 
taking the aviation trust fund out of the general fund budget. His 
persistence helped force a floor vote on the issue in October 1987, 
with supporters of the off-budget bill losing by a scant five votes. As 
I said then and now: That vote was held because Norm Mineta believed 
that stockpiling these balances to hide the deficit was a fraud on the 
America people. And the fight to take the transportation trust funds 
off budget continues today, thanks in no small part because of Norm's 
leadership.
  But beyond the legislative give-and-take of issues, Norm and I were 
more than simply colleagues. For two decades, he and I have literally 
sat shoulder to shoulder in countless hearings and meetings. Together 
we have listened to thousands of witnesses, sat through hundreds of 
rollcall votes, and shared both victories and defeats. Ours is an 
uncommon friendship and I trust it will not end when he leaves 
Congress.
  Norman Y. Mineta came to the Congress and the Public Works and 
Transportation Committee in 1975 and two decades later, he leaves, 
having contributed immeasurably to both. Norm was a positive influence 
on his colleagues and on their institution. He will be missed.

                          ____________________