Aviation Associations including the General Aviation Manufacturing Association (GAMA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), paid tribute to former United States congressman, military veteran, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, aviation champion and American legend Norman Y. Mineta, who passed away recently at age 90.
The son of Japanese immigrants, Mineta became the first Asian-American to hold a cabinet-level position when he was appointed secretary of commerce by President Bill Clinton in 2000. The following year, Mineta was named transportation secretary by President George W. Bush, becoming the only Democratic cabinet official in that administration.
“Norm Mineta’s life story is one of values, accomplishment and dignity,” said NBAA President and CEO, Ed Bolen. “He was an extraordinary public servant, and an even better human being. America is indebted to him for his lifetime of service.”
GAMA President and CEO, Pete Bunce, said Secretary Mineta was an incredible statesman and a true giant in all facets of transportation where he specifically championed safety and security of the aviation industry. “He broke racial and political barriers as he worked for the betterment of the United States.”
During the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Mineta took the unprecedented step of grounding all aircraft over the United States, ordering pilots to immediately land at the nearest suitable airport to prevent the possibility of further attacks.
“Our members will never forget his steadfast leadership, sense of fairness, and accessibility throughout his entire service—especially during the profound period of uncertainty and change for transportation safety and security following 9/11,” stated NATA President and CEO Timothy Obitts.
In the months following 9/11, Mineta steadfastly forbade the use of racial profiling by airline security. His position was based on his life’s experience: During World War II, at the age of 10, he proudly wore his Boy Scout uniform as his family was placed in a Japanese internment camp. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Mineta launched his political career in 1967 with his appointment to fill a vacant San Jose, CA, city council seat. He subsequently won election to that seat in 1969, and two years later was elected as the first Japanese American mayor of a major U.S. city.
In 1975, Mineta was elected to serve California’s 13th district in Congress, and he represented the emerging Silicon Valley region for 20 years before resigning his seat in 1995 to move to the private sector as an executive with Lockheed Martin.
In November 2001, San Jose officials lauded Mineta by renaming the city’s commercial airport as the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).
Mineta resigned as transportation secretary in July 2006, and to this day he remains the longest-tenured official to hold that position. President Bush later awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his service. Mineta is prominently featured in Tom Brokaw’s famous book, The Greatest Generation.
“Norman Mineta lived the American dream, setting an example for all others to follow. We send our condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends,” added Obitts.
