He was an excellent member of Congress for years from 1975 to 2011. He was superb working on transportation generally, and aviation safety more specifically. He was internationally recognized for his knowledge, including having served on President H.W. Bush's Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism.
He served the nation, he made us safer. He was not owned, as apparently his brief successor was, by big oil or other special interests.
We are less well served by elected members of Congress who are not nearly so well qualified as he was, not nearly so honest in focusing on his constituents instead of monied special interests.
Rest in Peace.