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Honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, who passed away on May 3, 2022, during Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
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WHEREAS, Norman Mineta was born in San Jose, California to Japanese immigrants; the family was barred from becoming U.S. citizens under the Immigration Act of 1924 and spent several years in an internment camp during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Mineta went on to become a trailblazer for Asian Americans in public service; he was the first Asian American mayor of a major city, the first Japanese American from the mainland to be elected to Congress, and the first Asian American to serve in a presidential cabinet; and
WHEREAS, Mineta attended the University of California, Berkley where he earned a degree in business administration; and
WHEREAS, Mineta enlisted in the U.S Army upon his graduation; he served as an intelligence officer in Japan and Korea; and
WHEREAS, Mineta entered politics in 1967 as an appointed member of the San Jose City Council; and
WHEREAS, Mineta was subsequently elected to a full term on the Council and later ran successfully to become the 59th Mayor of San Jose; and
WHEREAS, Following his time as mayor, Mineta ran successfully for a seat in the United States Congress; and
WHEREAS, In Congress, Mineta founded the Asian Pacific American Caucus and served as Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure from 1992 to 1994; and
WHEREAS, Mineta left Congress in 1995 to work in the private sector and serve on various boards and commissions; Mineta served as Vice President at the Lockheed Martin Corporation; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, Mineta made history as the first Asian American member of a presidential cabinet; he served as United States Secretary of Commerce under President Clinton; and
WHEREAS, Mineta was then appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as United States Secretary of Transportation, directing the Department’s response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks; and
WHEREAS, Mineta oversaw the creation of the Transportation Security Administration-an agency with more than 65,000 employees- marking the largest mobilization of a new federal agency since World War II; and
WHEREAS, Mineta served in the post for six years, making him the longest-serving Secretary of Transportation in history; and
WHEREAS, For his distinguished service, Mineta received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom-the highest civilian honor in the United States-and the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy awarded for significant aviation-related public service; and
WHEREAS, Mineta passed away on May 3, 2022 in his Maryland home; he was 90 years old; and
WHEREAS, Mineta was a trailblazer and steadfast public servant; his uniquely American story is one of perseverance and patriotism; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors the life and legacy of the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, who passed away on May 3, 2022, during Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy be presented to the Mineta family, further evidencing the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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