REMEMBERING
Norman Y. Mineta

N. Mineta was a great support for a young Professor of Chemistry at SJSU competing nationally to secure funds for her student's research. Denials In the early 1960's were based not on the subject proposed but on SJSU facilities, say our library. N. Mineta improved our competitive standing with truthful eloquence in Washington DC. Our accomplishments mine and my own students (https://works.bepress.com/juana_acrivos) are also his.

In 1992, my wife Barbara Hedani-Morishita and two sons, Kyle (8) and Derek (5) were walking through one of the Congressional buildings. We passed by a meeting room that was just breaking up, looked in and saw Congressman Norm Mineta. He saw us and motioned for us to wait for him. The Congressman did not know us but came out and greeted us warmly like old friends. We introduced ourselves and our young sons. Barbara mentioned that he knew her Uncle Tak Takei, a Superior Court Judge in Cupertino and he said he did know Tak well. Norm said he was going to another building and asked us if we wanted to go with him. He proceeded to take us down the Members' elevator to the Members' tram which he took us on. Were our two sons very impressed with the Congressman and the wonderful treatment! They asked us why we knew him so well which we said we didn't. This was extremely special and gave us warm and lasting impressions of Norm. Fast forward to 2018 in Tokyo, Japan for the U.S.-Japan Council event where he was a special guest and interviewed by Dianne Fukami and Debra Nakatomi. I sat by chance at a table where he sat down and I introduced myself. Again, Norm treated me like an old friend and was kind enough to take this picture with me. His kindness and warmth are lasting memories for my family and me. Thank you, Norm, for all that you did for our country, California, San Jose and our JA community.

A leader of the highest quality of integrity putting America before self but, more importantly a mentor to many DOT, USCG and Mineta Transportation Alumni; and my friend.

I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing, yet forever grateful to Secretary Mineta life's work to ensure civil liberties are afforded to all Americans. This year's Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is extra special as not only do I as a Vietnamese-American take stock in my history and heritage pride, I give praise to Secretary Mineta's legacy. With Deepest Condolences, Barbara Weaver

My dear, departed friend Tim Starbird once told me of a kindness extended by his father George Starbird to Kunisako Mineta, Norm's dad, who had a successful insurance business, as did George. When the Order came for the Minetas to move to Wyoming, George stepped in and handled all of Kunisako's clients, kept separate accounting and serviced their insurance needs. When the Minetas returned to San José after WW II, George turned everything back to Kunisako who was able to get back to work right away. I never confirmed this with Norm but George Starbird was a pillar of our community (former SJ mayor and past SJ Rotary Club president) and I believe this act is certainly something I would expect of George Starbird. In 1967, Norm entered politics when then mayor Ron James appointed him to the SJ City Council. My wife and I had just returned to SJ from a year traveling around Europe when I joined the World Affairs Council together with Norm and Phil Hammer. Sadly, Phil is no longer with us but Ron James, who was also a member or our Rotary Club, is in good health still living in San José. Norm had a meteoric success story in politics and had the most amazing ability to remember names and faces not just of friends he knew but he also remembered what our children were doing. He was an incredible guy who gave so much to all of us. Sayōnara, kyūyū/ Goodbye, old friend.

I worked with Norm at the U.S.Department of Transportation. He was a great leader, and spoke with everyone as an equal. He was a true believer in civil rights and social justice.

I can't recall the occasion, other than it being a reception at the SF Japanese Consul General's residence several years ago. It's a cherished memento of being in Secretary Mineta's warm presence. My parents, who met at Heart Mountain, found consolation in seeing the young boy Norman from around their block grow up to become a respected elder statesman. Gassho, Rev. Ron Kobata (Retired, Buddhist Churches of America)

My husband introduced me to Norm shortly after we were married in 2018. The two had served in President Bush's Cabinet together. I adored Norm and Deni from the moment I met them. In 2019, I asked Norm to speak at an event for the Capital Speakers Club and he graciously agreed. He never was too busy to help a friend. We presented him with the CSC Award of Excellence for his lifetime achievement of public service. So richly deserved and just one of many, many honors and achievements in his life. It was a life well lived. I will always remember his kindness and the love he shared with so many.

My deepest sympathies to Deni and the Mineta family. Norm was a good friend, mentor and teacher. There is a saying by an unknown person that says: ”Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.” I can truly say that about Norm. I will miss him greatly.

#MinetaMoment

Heartfelt condolences to everyone in Norman Mineta’s family and to all who knew him. Norm and his family did so much for us in this country and I remember them all with great gratitude. I cannot remember a time when my family did not know the Mineta family in San Jose. My maiden name is Watanabe and over many years, the Minetas have been part of our lives. I remember the night Norm’s mother died years ago. My father was the friend and doctor they called; my mother went with him. Many other personal occasions remain with me. Norm’s brother, Al, took out my late husband’s appendix. His sister, Helen, was so kind to my mother. After decades of no contact, I was prepared to introduce myself and congratulate Norm in the few seconds I knew I would have after a speech he gave in Boston. No need, he greeted me instantly using my childhood nickname. The first thing he said to me, “I’m so sorry about Monty”. My husband had died several years before, how Norm knew and how he remembered...? Among humorous things Norm said in his talk in Boston -- one grandchild had said to him, “it’s kinda funny your parents named you after an airport”. Of course, this child had noticed that in San Jose we now have the “Norman Y. Mineta International Airport”. The distinguished work Norman did for the Japanese and for all Americans is recognized. This good must be lasting. In my old fashioned Japanese way, I will send “koden” for him. It will go to one of the causes for which he worked so tirelessly. I send thanks to all his family for their love and support which I know did much to sustain him. His leaving us is the end of an era. Norman Mineta will not be forgotten.

Like many Japanese American families, we've had a connection to Norm Mineta for awhile. Our youngest daughter Hillary was a Mineta Fellow with JACL in Washington, D.C. right out of college. As I began working with him during the documentary production, I was fortunate to get to know him and his family even better. The group photo shows us together at our screening event the night the documentary was broadcast on PBS nationally in 2019. With Norm, what you see is what you got. A highly-respected statesman and community advocate who was always approachable and cared deeply about everyone. After my mom died, even before we had started working on the film, I was going through her treasures that she kept in a box. There, among other items was a note from Congressman Norman Y. Mineta, thanking her for a box of candy she had brought when she visited the D.C. office with her cousins in the 1990s. Mom couldn't get over the fact that an important man would write her a thank you note. That's the kind of guy Norm Mineta was.