Kay Granger ‘s leadership will surely be missed

Kay Granger embodies what all of us should demand from public leadership: an understanding of community needs, an appreciation of broader world issues and a heartfelt commitment to serve selflessly.

It was inevitable that Granger, 80, who announced that she would not seek reelection, would eventually step away from the Tarrant County congressional district she has represented since 1997, taking with her massive legislative clout in the interest of North Texas, principled conservatism and decisive leadership.

She was the first woman to serve as mayor of Fort Worth, the first woman to represent Fort Worth in Congress and the first Republican woman to chair the all-powerful House Committee on Appropriations that vets much of federal spending.