Norman Mineta, a long-time revered leader on Capitol Hill who later navigated the nation’s transportation system through the aftermath of 9/11, died on Tuesday at the age of 90.
“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.”
General Aviation Manufacturers Association president and CEO Pete Bunce agreed, calling Mineta “an incredible statesman and a true giant in all facets of transportation.”
Born Nov. 12, 1931, to Japanese immigrant parents Kunisaku Mineta and Kane Watanabe, he and his family were interned near Cody, Wyoming during World War II.
There he met and became lifelong friends with Alan Simpson, who went on to become a U.S. Senator. Mineta subsequently attended the University of California, Berkeley's School of Business Administration and then joined the U.S. Army, serving as an intelligence officer in Japan and Korea.
Mineta was later to rise up through politics, becoming councilman and then mayor of San Jose, California—the first Asian American to lead a major U.S. city—and ultimately was elected to the Congress in 1974.
Serving until 1995, Mineta became a “tireless advocate” for general aviation, NBAA said. He chaired the aviation subcommittee of the then House Public Works and Transportation (now Transportation and Infrastructure) Committee for nearly eight years. Minta took the reins as chair of the committee in 1993, steering it in that capacity and then as the Ranking Democrat.
During this time, his committee approved the General Aviation Revitalization Act, despite stiff opposition from trial lawyers.
After retiring from Congress, he joined the private sector with a role at Lockheed Martin but would return to the public sector first as U.S. Secretary of Commerce—again becoming the first Asian-American to hold a cabinet-level position—and then, beginning in 2001, of Transportation.
The events surrounding 9/11 would become a defining moment in his career as he made the unprecedented decision to ground all airplanes during the attack and later stood up the Transportation Security Administration. “Following the 9/11 attacks, he was a driving force in ensuring the security of America and restoring confidence in our aviation system,” Bunce said.
As he did that, he forbade the use of racial profiling by airline security, harkening back to his roots, NBAA noted.
“Mineta will be remembered for his legendary character and countless achievements, but 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,” added NATA President and CEO Timothy Obitts.
Obitts noted that Mineta—who was appointed to cabinet positions by both the Democrat President Bill Clinton and Republican President George W. Bush—was known for working across party lines as well as making sound transportation policy and advocating for infrastructure investments.
Mineta became the longest-serving Secretary of Transportation, holding the role until 2006. But not finished with his career, he returned to the private sector with the firm Hill & Knowlton.
Widely regaled throughout Washington and beyond, he was honored with several accolades, including the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. San Jose leaders also paid tribute in 2001 by renaming their local airport as the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).
”He broke racial and political barriers as he worked for the betterment of the United States,” Bunce said. “We are forever grateful for his dedication to advancing transportation and seeking bipartisan solutions.”
“Norman Mineta lived the American dream, setting an example for all others to follow,” Obitts concluded.
