President praises Mineta's service

June 30, 2006
President Bush has praised the service of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and noted his help in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Mineta recently resigned his cabinet position, effective July 7, 2006.

President Bush has praised the service of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and noted his help in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Mineta recently resigned his cabinet position, effective July 7, 2006.

"As my Secretary of Transportation, Norm performed a crucial role on September 11, 2001, leading the successful effort to bring tens of thousands of passengers aboard commercial aircraft to safe landings," the President said. "His leadership was vital to strengthening the security of America's seaports and airports.

"Norm worked hard to help eliminate red tape and liberalize the commercial aviation market. After Hurricane Katrina, Norm and his team were able to rapidly repair and re-open the region's major highways, airports, seaports, and pipelines. He also oversaw important changes in fuel economy standards that will save fuel, save lives, and save jobs.

"Norman Mineta has served America with integrity, dedication, and distinction. He leaves his position as the longest-serving Secretary of Transportation in our nation's history. Norm's life is a story of determination, courage, and service. As a child, he lived in an internment camp. As a young man, he wore his country's uniform in Korea and Japan. From there, he went on to become a mayor, a congressman, and a cabinet secretary under two Presidents."

Mineta's resignation came in a letter to President Bush June 20 in which Mineta said the time had come to move on to "other challenges."

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