Neal McCaleb is being remembered as a public servant who oversaw construction of hundreds of miles of new highways and turnpikes.

Neal McCaleb was a man I admired, trusted, emulated, and treasured,” said Congressman Tom Cole. “I will miss his wisdom, his wit, his political acumen, and his unmatched devotion to our country, our state,

Neal, a Chickasaw citizen, was honored as the 2012 Red Earth Ambassador of the Year for his commitment to Native American interests. His accomplishments include serving as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs under President George W. Bush and as Oklahoma’s first Secretary of Transportation.

A defender of tribal sovereignty and Native rights, Chickasaw politician and Oklahoma City native Neal McCaleb died on Thursday at 90. McCaleb, an Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Chickasaw Hall of Fame inductee served eight years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives,

Chickasaw leader Neal McCaleb dies at 90