San Jose, CA ---- The San Jose City Council approved renaming San José International Airport as the “Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport” at today’s council meeting.

The action recognizes the long record of public service and accomplishments of United States Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta to San Jose and the nation, including service as councilmember and mayor in San Jose, United States congressman, and United States Secretary of Commerce.

“Renaming our highest profile transportation facility for Norm Mineta is an excellent recognition for a son of San José who has dedicated nearly four decades of exemplary public service to our community and our country,” said Mayor Ron Gonzales.

“In the course of his long public career, Secretary Mineta has also broken barriers to diversity in political leadership at every level of government he has served, and he continues to have a major impact on both local and national transportation policy and infrastructure.”

Mineta served on the San Jose City Council from 1967 to 1971 and as mayor from 1971 to 1974, becoming the first Asian-American to serve as mayor of a major U.S. city.

From 1975 to 1995, Mineta served as a member of Congress, where he was known for effective consensus building among his colleagues and for forging public-private partnerships. He served as chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee between 1992 and 1994, and he chaired the aviation subcommittee between 1981 and 1988.

He was appointed Secretary of Commerce by President Clinton, becoming the first Asian-American to ever to hold a cabinet-level position.  Earlier this year, President Bush named him as Secretary of Transportation.

Since the tragic events of September 11, Secretary Mineta has led the federal government’s efforts to strengthen the security of the nation’s air transportation system. 

“During this momentous time, Norm has exhibited all the attributes of effective leadership that has served this community so well,” said Gonzales. “For these reasons, it is both timely and appropriate to rename the airport now to express our community’s appreciation of in his service to our community and the nation and our pride in his integrity.” 

The airport’s name will be “Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.”  This follows the U.S. Department of Transportation naming protocol.  Although the name of the airport would change, its identification initials would remain “SJC,” which also is consistent with Department of Transportation policies.

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