REMEMBERING
Norman Y. Mineta

When I was approached to create a new NPO in order to co-create and organize the 60th Anniversary Celebrations for the San Jose-Okayama Sister City relationship, I had to think about what would be needed. Stellar people had been involved in this long relationship, the third sister city relationship established in the USA. I spoke to some former members who I had heard had been involved and they wished me luck. I tried speaking to Yoshihiro Uchida, who gave me some good advice and stories. And then, Norm called me to tell me to put his name down as Honorary Advisor to our freshly minted "San Jose-Okayama Sister Cities" 501(c)3 NPO in 2015. My surprised answer "Of course!" & "Thank you!" preceded the flurry of work that then began in earnest. We had a wonderful four days of events in 2017 in San Jose, welcoming 115 delegates and children from Okayama, Japan. And of course, Norm was right. His name gave the relationship and organization the gravity needed to make a serious impression on everyone.

What a Wonderful Man! I first met Norm when he was Chair of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee nearly 35 years ago. I was the head of the public transportation agency in Pittsburgh, PA and went to his office to brief him about our agency and various capital projects we were undertaking. He immediately made me feel welcome and then before I could make my presentation he started telling me all about my projects! I was shocked at how much a Congressman from California knew about Pittsburgh and our projects. But soon I learned that was Norm: always prepared, always warm and always welcoming. In 1996, I left Pittsburgh and came to Washington, D.C. to head the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). Though Norm had left the Congress by then, he welcomed me to the city as if he were the mayor giving me the key to the city! Fortunately for me our paths continued to cross. In summer of 2001 APTA invited Transportation Secretary Mineta to give the keynote address at our annual meeting to be held in Philadelphia in October. Then the horrible attacks of September 11 occurred. We assumed Norm would not be able to join us just a few weeks later, but ever the man of his word he came to our meeting and wowed our members with his presence and message of hope. I could go on and on about Norm and my admiration for him. The more I learned of his life story and his many, many accomplishments, the more my appreciation of this wonderful man grew. Everyday tens of millions of Americans use transportation facilities that wouldn't be there had Norm Mineta not been there to do what he did. Rest In Peace Norm. You earned it.

I had the honor and privilege to work with Congressman Mineta in the development, planning, design and construction of the San Jose Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse located at First and San Carlos Sts, now named Robert Peckham Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. I worked for the US General Services Administration based in San Francisco which had the responsibility for all federal construction in the four state region of Region 9. It was a project that engaged the JA professionals in Architecture, Art, and Civic engagement. The firm of Helmuth, Obata, Kassabaum was responsible for the design and several years later Ruth Asawa was commissioned to create the memorial art that is in the Plaza of the building. I had the honor and responsibility to coordinate and manage the design, construction and installation of the projects. I am happy and proud to have been part of a legacy Norm would leave for the people of San Jose and all of Northern California. He was always warm and friendly whenever our paths crossed. He was a guest speaker at a family reunion and called me out when he saw me in the audience surprising my relatives. My wife Emi and I sat across the aisle from him on our way to WDC on one trip and he whispered that he hoped the bag he was carrying wouldn't break as he had jars of tsukemono and takuwan. It was an honor to know him and I express my heart felt condolences to his family. Retired GSA Deputy Regional Administrator for Region 9.

Norm has had a huge impact on my life, meeting him when I was young and decades later inviting him to Adobe 6 years ago to speak to our employees. I recently wrote an article honoring Norm: https://adsknews.autodesk.com/stories/asian-heritage-month He was truly one-of-a-kind, and will be greatly missed.

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.

So sorry for your loss and the impact it will have on your dreams to come. My deceased mom lives on in my dreams. Hope Norman sees you often in your thoughts and dreams. May God welcome him with open arms.

We’ve lost someone really important who will be dearly missed. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.🙏🕯️

I cherish the years we spent together as colleagues and am forever grateful for the kindness, courage, and wisdom he brought to his work. He will be deeply missed.

Rest in peace, Norm Mineta. A public servant of the highest order.