[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 27, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H9573-H9577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  2100

  I would not be surprised if there is a statue in the town hall of San 
Jose, or 

[[Page H 9574]]
the town square, that will commemorate his service as one of the 
outstanding citizens of that community.
  The gentleman from California [Mr. Matsui] has made some reference to 
the kind of service and leadership that he has given in the House. I 
want to mention some of the things that have not been covered.
  He has, in addition to serving on the committee which was then Public 
Works and Transportation as chairman during the 103d Congress, he 
served as also chairman of several of the major subcommittees of that 
full committee. Noteworthy of course was the Surface Transportation 
Subcommittee, on which he made very great contributions to and, I 
think, advanced the cause of investment in transportation 
infrastructures as no other person could do. He served as chairman of 
the Aviation Subcommittee, and the stories about his contributions to 
aviation, and improvement of aviation safety, and service to the public 
are manyfold, and I will not put them all into the Record at this time. 
He also served on the Committee on Science, which I had the honor of 
chairing for a couple of terms, and I can tell my colleagues that he 
was one of the outstanding leaders on that committee. I regret that he 
had committed so much of his time to other major committees as he did, 
but he also provided that vital linkage between the two committees, and 
it was reflected, of course, in his commitment to the technological 
advancement in transportation, both surface and aviation, that he 
pioneered in that committee. But he was a voice of reason and of 
perspective on the future in the Committee on Science, and I want to 
pay tribute to the great service that he gave on that committee as we 
worked together on issues of importance to the Nation and to our home 
State of California.
  I suppose it is important that I should mention incidentally that he 
served on two other major very important committees, the House 
Committee on the Budget in which he was also a leading force for a 
number of years, and the House Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence. It was in part because of my respect for the work that he 
did on that committee that I sought to follow him briefly on the 
permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and I learned a great deal 
from my conversations with him about that very important subject.
  He is, of course it goes without saying, a very hard-working Member, 
and I would particularly point out the contribution he made in some of 
those great debates that we had on the space station in the committee 
that I was chairing, the Committee on Science. It was normal that we 
counted on him to round up the votes, to count the votes that were 
necessary, in some of those very close fights we had over continuing 
that very important part of our space program. I doubt if I have ever 
thanked him adequately for that service, and I certainly will do so 
today. He took it as a matter of course that, if something needed to be 
done, you pitch in, and you do it, and you do it extremely well. I can 
think of no other Member of Congress that I would want to have on my 
side on a hotly contested policy issue than Norm Mineta.
  We have already heard some reference to his responsibility on the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the role he played in 
the passage of the Surface Transportation Act of 1991 and the way that 
legislation has helped us map out new direction for transportation 
policy in this Nation. He has also been a steadfast defender of the 
environment, an issue which over the decades has been a major 
importance to our State of California and to the Nation, and the work 
that he has done on things like the Clean Water Act and on other very 
important pieces of environmental legislation that go through that 
committee.

  Many of us can remember other significant accomplishments that the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Mineta] was engaged in. If I might 
mention, for example, one of the ones that impressed me the most was 
the fight that he carried on to protect the prerogatives of his 
committee, an authorizing committee, against what we who are on 
authorizing committees regard as the inroads and depredations of the 
appropriators even though they are our very good friends, and many of 
you will remember what I consider to be that historic battle, if we may 
call it that, between him and the chairman of the Transportation 
Subcommittee with regard to how we would handle the appropriation and 
authorization for the highway program, and this was a battle in which 
the appropriators sought to usurp what was clearly the responsibility 
of the Committee on Transportation, and in that fight, of course 
without any effort to derogate the great work of the appropriators, the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Mineta] prevailed in upholding the 
responsibility of his committee, and I want to commend him again for 
that great job that he did. I wish I could have been half as successful 
in my own battles with the appropriators.
  His landmark contribution to civil rights of course has already been 
noted by the gentleman from California [Mr. Matsui] in connection with 
the legislation which made some inadequate amends for the incarceration 
of the Japanese-American citizens during World War II. I probably am 
not in a position to fully respect all the work that went into that. I 
followed it as an interested supporter and observer and admired the way 
in which the gentleman from California [Mr. Mineta] handled that issue, 
and I think that as the gentleman from California [Mr. Matsui] has 
already said, that he will be remembered in history for that great 
contribution he made to redressing a wrong perpetrated by our great 
country on our Japanese-American minority.
  Despite the fact that I was not as active a player in that, I felt 
the significance of it perhaps more than the gentleman from California 
[Mr. Mineta] will appreciate because I fought that action by our 
Government, and at the time that it occurred I was an employee of the 
city of Los Angeles where the mayor had taken the lead in removing all 
Japanese from city employment as his contribution to keeping our 
country safe, and at that point I sort of made myself obnoxious by 
forming a committee of city employees who went to the mayor and 
protested this action. I can still remember that I was accused of being 
a subversive for wanting to support fair play for our Japanese-American 
citizens in those very difficult times, and I want to personally 
express my thanks to the gentleman from California [Mr. Mineta] for the 
effort that he made, the successful effort that he made, to finally 
bring about a public official apology on the part of the citizens of 
this country for that kind of activity.
  All of these actions that I have described are tributes to his 
legislative skill, to his dedication, to his tenacity, his willingness 
to work hard, and it is for these kinds of reasons that I say that the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Mineta] will go down in history as a 
native son of California of whom the entire State can be proud, and of 
course his own city of San Jose, I know, will be proud of him. He has 
been a leading citizen of San Jose and of the counties of Santa Clara 
and Santa Cruz since he began his public service now nearly 30 years 
ago.

  I remember when he came to Washington in 1974. I enjoyed working with 
him as a part of the California delegation. He is one of the regulars 
who we count on to keep the delegation together, and we are going to 
hold open at least an honorary seat for him in all of our regular 
Wednesday morning breakfasts because he is one of those who will be 
impossible to replace.
  I am both glad and sad about his decision to leave. I am glad of the 
opportunity that it gives him. As I said earlier, I think that we will 
see a great deal more of him in the future. I expect him to make an 
even greater contribution to the expansion of modern high-technology 
surface transportation and related kinds of activities in his career 
with Lockheed Martin, and I may even visit with him once in a while to 
find out what I can learn to help us here in the Congress in terms of 
improving our national transportation system.
  We will miss him, but we know he is not dropping out of sight. We 
expect to see more of him. He will merely be changing his point of view 
as we discuss the important policy issues of this country.
  Mr. Speaker, there were a number of others who wanted to participate 
in this, but we all recognize that the lateness of the hour and the 
turbulence of 

[[Page H 9575]]
these times makes that difficult. There are a number whose names I will 
not mention who had intended to participate.
  Mr. Speaker, we have asked for time today to say farewell to our 
colleague, Congressman Norm Mineta. Mr. Mineta has announced that he is 
leaving public service to take a well-deserved job in the private 
sector. Those of us who stay here in Congress, we who have not been 
given an ``offer we could not refuse,'' will miss him. Mr. Mineta has 
been a leader, a voice of reason, and a voice of conscience since he 
was first elected in 1974.
  Mr. Mineta has served on a number of committees during his time in 
the House of Representatives. He has been on the Budget and the Select 
Intelligence Committees. He was also on the House Science Committee 
until he became chair of the Public Works and Transportation Committee. 
During his 9 years of service on the Science Committee I got to know 
him well, as we worked together on issues of importance to the Nation 
and to our home State of California. Mr. Mineta is one of the hardest 
working Members of this body that I know and many of the votes on the 
space station might have gone the other way if not for Mr. Mineta's 
tireless effort to round up supporters. I can think of no other Member 
I would like in my corner than Mr. Mineta.
  Mr. Mineta has been known most recently for his work on the House 
Public Works and Transportation Committee. He was responsible for the 
1991 Surface Transportation Act that mapped a new direction for 
transportation policy in this nation. He has also been a steadfast 
defender of the environment, working to fashion a solid Clean Water Act 
reauthorization bill. Throughout his congressional service, Mr. Mineta 
has been one of the best defenders of the environment and he took his 
stewardship perspective to the Public Works Committee.
  Many of us remember Mr. Mineta's other significant accomplishments, 
most notably his work on behalf of Japanese-Americans interned by the 
United States government during World War II. Mr. Mineta spent part of 
his childhood in one of those internment camps and he spent part of his 
adulthood making sure that the Federal Government made partial 
restitution and a public apology. The legislation that Mr. Mineta 
authored and shepherded through the legislative process is a testimony 
to his legislative skills and his sense of honor.
  Within the California delegation, Mr. Mineta has been a native son of 
whom the State can be proud. Mr. Mineta has represented his home town 
of San Jose and the other parts of Santa Clara County and Santa Cruz 
County since he began his public service with his election to the San 
Jose City Council in 1967. He was later elected as mayor of San Jose 
and then came to Congress in the Watergate class of 1974. I have 
enjoyed working with Mr. Mineta as part of the California delegation 
and he will be sorely missed. We are going to hold open a chair for him 
at our Wednesday Democratic delegation breakfasts, an event to which he 
was a regular.
  I am both glad and sad with Mr. Mineta's decision to leave us. I am 
glad for Mr. Mineta and the opportunity that this move represents for 
him. I am sad to see him leave and to lose his presence in the House. 
We will miss you, but we know that you aren't dropping out of sight, 
just changing your view.
  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, when Norman Y. Mineta--whose constituents all 
know as Norm--announced his retirement from the House of 
Representatives earlier this month, it marked the end of a 
congressional career that has spanned 20 years and enriched the lives 
of people in California's 15th Congressional District and throughout 
our entire Nation. His leadership will be missed, and his special 
friendship with many in this institution will never be forgotten.
  Norm's hometown newspaper called him a calming voice for civility, 
compassion, and reason. I agree. His service to America is more than 
the sum of his votes and his legislation.
  It is more than his reputation as Mr. Transportation--even though 
Norm certainly deserves to be recognized as the person who heralded a 
new era for public transportation in the South Bay area and the country 
as a whole.
  It's more than his expertise on high technology and science issues--
although Norm can certainly take credit for being one of the leading 
spokespeople for Silicon Valley and educating everyone in Congress 
about the importance of high technology to America's economy, work 
force, and future in the international market.
  And it's more than his ability to know and represent successfully the 
views and interests of his constituents--even though Norm's highly 
regarded as a classic public servant who started in local government as 
a member of the San Jose Human Relations Commission, a San Jose City 
Councilman, and mayor of San Jose before he was elected to Congress.
  To truly understand who Norm Mineta is, you must understand where he 
has come from and how that has shaped his life.
  When he was a 10-year-old boy at the beginning of World War II, Norm 
was sent to an internment camp where Japanese-Americans were held for 
no other reason than their national ancestry.
  He was still wearing his Cub Scout uniform and clutching his 
baseball, glove, and cap when his family was rounded up and shipped off 
to Wyoming. Norm says that ``a lot of what I am today is really that 
10-plus-year-old kid who got on that train'' in May 1942.
  He could have emerged from that humiliating and stressful experience 
as a bitter person, and no one would have blamed him. Instead, Norm 
MIneta gained a greater appreciation for the need to champion justice 
in our society. That appreciation led him to launch a public career 
that made Norm the first Japanese-American elected to Congress from the 
mainland.
  His passion for justice and his recognition of the need for someone 
to speak out on behalf of Asian-Americans are woven like threads 
throughout his years of service.
  And those threads can clearly be seen in the crowning achievement of 
his congressional career--the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, with which 
he won a formal apology and compensation for all Japanese-Americans 
thrown into internment camps by the United States Government.
  Norm has taken his sense of fairness and applied it in other ways, 
too, both large and small. It's no accident that when you walk down the 
Halls of the House, he can be heard saying hello by name not only to 
Members of Congress, but also the guards, elevator operators, and other 
workers. He takes the time to know them all.
  Norm also has taken the time to keep himself firmly rooted in the 
community that sent him to Congress. He was asked on several occasions 
to run for statewide office. And while he doesn't talk about it much, 
it's generally known that he was President Clinton's first choice for 
Secretary of Transportation.
  But Norm turned down those opportunities because he wanted to 
represent people--his people, his community--rather than a State or an 
agency.
  And when he announced his retirement, he didn't do it in Washington. 
He did it the only way he knew how--back home at his father's house in 
San Jose among his family, friends, and constituents.
  His internal compass has always pointed home. It's only fitting that 
he chose to end his career where it all began.
  In closing, let me say that I shall miss Norm's comradery in the 
House and his extraordinary service to our country.
  Norm always finishes his speeches by saying ``Thanks a million.'' And 
as he finishes his career on Capitol Hill, I ask my colleagues to join 
me in saying ``Thanks a million, Norm'' for giving so much of yourself 
to help build a more compassionate, progressive Nation. We wish you 
every success in the next chapter of your life.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Norm Mineta. 
Norm is leaving this House after 21 years of exceptional service to the 
people of California's 15th Congressional District. He has been a 
leader in the Democratic Party, a leader in our State's delegation, and 
a leading voice on national transportation and infrastructure policy.
  First elected as a Member of the post-Watergate class of 1974, Norm 
has become one of the most prominent Asian-Americans in politics. He 
was a driving force behind the 1988 legislation to compensate Japanese-
Americans interned by the United States Government during World War II.
  Norm worked to redress this ``act born of racism'' for more than a 
decade. As someone who himself had suffered the indignity of internment 
during the war, Norm's voice and passion on this issue carried added 
moral authority during the debate on this bill.
  In addition to this landmark legislation Norm has used his position 
as the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Aviation to make air 
travel safer, to protect the rights of transportation industry workers, 
and to benefit consumers. As chairman of the House Public Works and 
Transportation Committee during the 103d Congress, Norm continued these 
efforts and expanded them into the fields of maritime and surface 
transportation, water resources, public building construction, and the 
environment.
  When viewed separately, any of Norm's accomplishments would be 
considered to be the crowning achievement of one's congressional 
career. Yet, this is what has made Norm's tenure even more impressive. 
He has accomplished so many important things in so many different 
areas. This House will surely miss his drive, his intellect, and his 
dedication to realizing many difficult legislative goals.
  As a fellow Californian and member of the San Francisco Bay area 
delegation, I will miss Norm more than most. From my first days in 

[[Page H 9576]]
Congress, we have worked together on many projects of importance to our 
region. He has been a leader, teacher, and a true friend.
  We will all miss him very much and wish him all the best in his new 
endeavor.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my best wishes to Norm as 
he leaves the House of Representatives to begin a new chapter in his 
life. I do so sadly, though, because he embodies the qualities that 
every American should have in their representative. Norm's integrity 
and tireless commitment to the public interest has served his district 
and our Nation extraordinarily well.
  I have always thought of Norm as a pragmatic idealist, and that rare 
combination has made possible his many legislative efforts in the House 
of Representatives.
  Norm and I both came to Congress as part of the historic Watergate 
class. Like our other Democratic classmates, we came to Washington with 
the purpose of opening the decisionmaking process to the American 
public and making the Federal Government more responsive to its 
citizens. As Californians, we often found ourselves working on issues 
together, and I soon discovered that he was one of the best allies one 
could ever hope to have. I won't list his many achievements that 
improved the quality of our environment now, but I do want to note that 
his work has been instrumental in enhancing the quality of our air, 
water, and natural resources.
  Of course, the enactment of legislation that brought compensation to 
Japanese-Americans uprooted and forced into internment camps during 
World War II was Norm's greatest personal achievement. Norm worked to 
rectify a grievous wrong, and it was a grievous wrong that he and his 
own family experienced. This law would not have been possible without 
the unquestionable moral authority Norm brought to the debate and his 
insistence that our Nation live up to its commitment to justice and 
equality.
  Norm Mineta may leave this House, but I know we will continue to have 
the warmth of his friendship and the benefit of his dedication and 
ability.
  Mr. DELLUMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues to honor and 
congratulate my dear friend Norman Mineta. We have truly benefited from 
his devotion to duty and his commitment to open up doors and 
opportunity for all Americans, regardless of national origin, race, 
gender, age, or economic status.
  For years Norm has been in the forefront of the struggle for human 
and civil rights and social justice. During the historic 100th 
Congress, Norm was the driving force behind the passage of H.R. 442, 
the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which redressed the injustices endured 
by Americans of Japanese ancestry during the World War II.
  During 103d Congress, he was elected chair of the House Committee on 
Public Works and Transportation, thereby becoming the first American of 
Asian ancestry to chair a major committee in the Congress. Also during 
103d Congress, Norm was an original cofounder with nine colleagues from 
the House and Senate, of the Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus, the 
Asian American and Pacific Islander counterpart to the Congressional 
Black and Hispanic Caucus. He currently serves as deputy whip, House 
Democratic leadership.
  Norman Mineta was just recently honored by George Washington 
University with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Award 
for Professional Achievement in the area of civil and human rights. We 
should all be in his debt because of his commitment, courage and 
determination to have this Nation live out the principles proclaimed in 
our own Declaration of Independence. There are many men for the moment, 
but Norm Mineta is truly a man for all seasons. His dedicated struggle 
for the cause of all humanity, and the testament of his personal 
courage cannot be understated.
  So, on this day, I pay special tribute to my distinguished colleague 
and applaud his record of public service. More importantly, I am proud 
to call him friend.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend my colleague, 
friend, and neighbor, the Honorable Norman Mineta. As an ex-officio 
member of each of the six transportation subcommittees, chairman of 
Public Works and Transportation Committee, and currently, the ranking 
Democrat of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 
Congressman Mineta championed highway safety standards for the Nation, 
and particularly, the entire San Francisco Bay Area, where his district 
is located.
  Throughout his career, spanning more than two decades, Mr. Mineta has 
made a great contribution toward maintaining and improving the 
infrastructure of this country, to the U.S. Congress and the people of 
California. His wisdom, knowledge, and dedication will truly be missed 
by those who were privileged to serve with him and by those whom he has 
served with distinction.
  Concern for human rights and and dignity is a personal issue for 
Norman Mineta. As a child, Mineta and his family, along with 120,000 
Japanese-Americans, were sent by the United States Government to live 
in internment camps during World War II. One of the highlights of 
Congressman Mineta's career was realized when the 100th Congress passed 
the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, granting redress and a formal apology 
by the United States Government to the 60,000 surviving Japanese-
Americans who suffered injustices by the Government of their own 
country during World War II.
  I salute Congressman Mineta for his distinguished service in the U.S. 
Congress and for his unyielding dedication to his constituents. I truly 
wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with decidedly mixed feelings that I 
rise today to pay tribute to my friend and colleague, Norm Mineta. I am 
delighted with his pleasure at beginning a new and rewarding career, 
but I am also among those who will miss his acumen, his dedication and 
his great contribution to matters of importance to California.
  The story of Norm Mineta, who was sent to an internment camp in 
Wyoming during World War II--and then became the instrument by which 
the injustice suffered by Americans of Japanese ancestry was 
redressed--is one of enormous interest and appeal. The young boy 
wearing a Cub Scout uniform became friends with another youth who would 
grow up to be a U.S. Senator. Alan Simpson and Norm Mineta, decades 
later, worked together until the Japanese-American redress bill, 
apologizing for the internment and providing compensation for those 
detained, became the law of the land.
  A distinguished military veteran of tours in Japan and Korea who then 
became a successful business executive, Norm was a natural for public 
service.
  His outstanding record as mayor of San Jose led him to run for 
Congress, where he was the president of the Watergate class of 1974. He 
helped push through many of the House reforms associated with that 
large group of House freshmen.
  It was a great boon to the California delegation to see Norm take the 
helm of the House Public Works Committee, where he worked with all his 
might to protect the environment and to maintain and improve the 
infrastructure of the United States. He also earned the gratitude of 
America's working men and women by his work in protecting labor rights.
  Norm also is much admired for his help in enacting the Americans With 
Disabilities Act, which requires increased accessibility to handicapped 
individuals.
  Norman is a gentleman, a fine individual, and an outstanding 
legislator. We will greatly miss him here in Congress.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join with my colleagues 
tonight to pay tribute to our distinguished colleague and my dear 
friend from California, Congressman Norman Y. Mineta who is leaving 
Congress after 21 years of service. When I came to Congress in January 
of this year, I was excited about the prospect of a long-working 
relationship with Norm in representing the people of San Jose and am 
sad that he is leaving so soon after my arrival.
  I have long admired Norman Mineta not only for his astounding record 
of achievement as a public servant, but also for his sense of dignity 
and grace. Norm is a true gentleman and has earned the reputation of 
being one of the brightest, most respected, and well-liked Members of 
Congress.
  Before coming to Congress, Norm distinguished himself as a highly 
respected businessperson and public servant. He assumed his first 
public post in 1962 as a member of San Jose's human relations 
commission followed by an appointment to the housing authority board of 
directors. In 1967, he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the city 
council and in 1969 won election to a seat on the city council and then 
became vice mayor by appointment. In 1971 he was elected mayor of San 
Jose and served in that capacity until his election to Congress in 
1974.
  As a freshman in the 94th Congress, he quickly distinguished himself 
as one of the leaders of the 75 new Democratic Members and was elected 
to chair the New Members Caucus. Although he enjoyed many legislative 
accomplishments, the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which 
provided reparations for Japanese-Americans imprisoned during World War 
II was the most notable in his congressional career making him a hero 
to the Japanese-American community and other Americans who cherish 
civil rights and liberty.
  Norman's broad legislative expertise includes transportation, trade, 
high technology, NASA, the American space program, the Federal budget, 
civil rights, and issues of specific importance to Americans of Asian 
and Pacific Islands ancestry. During his tenure in Congress he 
continued to maintain strong ties back home as a friend to Silicon 
Valley and the environment and at the same time keeping a close eye on 
local issues. As chairman of 

[[Page H 9577]]
the House Public Works and Transportation Committee in the 102d 
Congress, he was successful in directing hundreds of millions of 
dollars for South Bay highways, railways, and wetlands.
  It is with a sad heart that I say goodbye to my dear friend. Norm you 
have been an inspiration to me and a great void will be left with your 
departure. The world and this country is a better place because of your 
service. You have been a true friend to the people of California and 
indeed all Americans and we wish you well and best of luck in this new 
chapter of your life.


                             general leave

  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on the subject of this special order tonight.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Salmon). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.

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