Norman Y. Mineta

For almost thirty years, Secretary Mineta represented San Jose, California first on the City Council, then as Mayor, and then from 1975 to 1995 as a Member of Congress. He was appointed in 2000 by President Bill Clinton as the United States Secretary of Commerce and then in 2001 he was appointed Secretary of Transportation by President George W. Bush. Secretary Norman Y. Mineta is well known for his work in the areas of transportation – including aviation, surface transportation, and infrastructure – and national security. He is recognized for his accomplishments in economic development, science and technology policy, foreign and domestic trade, budgetary issues and civil rights.

Globally recognized for his leadership, Secretary Mineta has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the nation’s highest civilian honor – and the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, which is awarded for significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States. He is also the recipient of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from the Government of Japan. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley.