Norman Mineta
On the record
First Asian-American mayor of major U.S. city; later 10-term U.S. Rep + Clinton Commerce + Bush Transp Sec
Background
Norman Yoshio Mineta (1931–2022) was Mayor of San Jose 1971-1974 — the first Asian-American mayor of a major U.S. city. As a child his family was incarcerated at the Heart Mountain WRA camp (Wyoming) under Executive Order 9066. Co-author of the 1988 Civil Liberties Act granting reparations to interned Japanese Americans. 10-term U.S. Rep CA 1975-1995. Clinton Commerce Sec 2000-01; GW Bush Trans Sec 2001-2006 — only Cabinet member to serve in both Clinton + Bush administrations. Issued the 9/11 stand-down order grounding all U.S. civilian aircraft.
Curated bio from Officium's editorial pass.
From the article
Hot-linked from Wikipedia · CC BY-SA · click for full size.
Others who held this office in California
- Matt Mahan (2023-present)
- Sam Liccardo (2015-2023)
- Chuck Reed (2007-2015)
- Ron Gonzales (1999-2007)
- Susan Hammer (1991-1999)
- Tom McEnery (1983-1991)
- Janet Gray Hayes (1975-1983)