Politics

Senate panel postpones transportation hearing

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee has postponed its Thursday hearing on transportation in light of the passing of Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyoming), who was vice chairman of the panel.

A new date for the hearing has not been set. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the committee chairman, released the following statement today:

I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Senator Craig Thomas. I had the opportunity to work closely with him on a number of committees and issues. He was a wonderful man whose word was his bond and who cared deeply for his home state of Wyoming and for the future of this country.
We served together on the Energy Committee and on the Indian Affairs Committee. Prior to being elected to the Senate, we served together in the House of Representatives. He was a kind and thoughtful man; a proud son of the American West who never forgot about the people and the places he represented.
For the past six months, I was privileged to have Senator Thomas serve as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, which I chair. His commitment to American Indians, and particularly to those living on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming was evident in his strong support for Indian health care and other services to Native Americans.
In recent months, Senator Thomas faced a challenging illness with great courage and grace. He was an inspiration to all of us who served with him and who were his friends. We will miss him in the United States Senate. My deepest sympathies go to his wife, Susan, and their four children.

Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico), another Indian Affairs member who also served with Thomas on the Energy Committee, released the following:

Craig Thomas was a cowboy, a Marine, a Senator, and a devoted father and husband. He was a quiet, unassuming man who did a good job for the state he represented and loved, Wyoming. Craig Thomas was the type of Senator that showed up when he should and did his job as best he could. When the chips were down, you could count on him. He worked the way a dedicated person works—tough-minded and impatient to get good things done. He was a true, true man.
Senator Thomas was also an outstanding member of the Energy Committee who was the ranking member of our National Parks Subcommittee. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of dedication to America’s national parks which includes landmark legislation to provide funding and management reforms to protect our parks. We will miss him on the committee.
My wife Nancy and I offer our sincere condolences to Susan Thomas and the Thomas’ four children. They will be in our prayers.