Congressman Robert Matsui was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1978 after serving on the Sacramento city council. During his 26-years in congress, he had little trouble getting re-elected, often wining races by overwhelming margins. Matsui became the third ranking Democrat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, and the Ranking Member on the Social Security Subcommittee. Spokesman Jim Bonham, says Matsui was well versed on a wide range of subjects. BONHAM :07—He ranged in his expertise from tax and trade to social policy to health and welfare. As a young child Matsui spent time during World War Two in an internment camp for Japanese-Americans. Bob Hensley KXJZ News.