Mike Honda: “As the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I rise in support of House Resolution 1377 and to pay…”

“As the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I rise in support of House Resolution 1377 and to pay tribute to my dear friend and mentor, Norman Yoshio Mineta. Throughout his career, Norm, a distinguished former Member of this House, has broken through many glass ceilings, not just for himself, but also for the rest of us. Norm was the first Asian American mayor of a major city, the first Asian American to hold a Presidential Cabinet position, trusted by both Democratic and Republican administrations. Norm has dedicated and continues to dedicate much of his energy toward the building of the infrastructure needed for the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities to grow and thrive to what they are today. When I think of Norm's legacy in our community, Mr. Speaker, I am reminded of the poem, ``Footprints in the Sand.'' The poem's last line reads: ``During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.'' Norm was one of the first in our community to see a light at the end of our path, a path cleared by so many greats before him, and to lead us forward.”