Biography of Secretary of Commerce Norman Y. Mineta [Norman Y. Mineta] Norman Y. Mineta Norman Y. Mineta, 33rd U.S. became the 33rd Secretary of Commerce, sworn in on Secretary of July 21, 2000 Commerce on July 21, 2000. Secretary Mineta Mail inquiries to: oversees a Department of The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta 40,000 people Office of the Secretary worldwide with a Room 5854 $5 billion U.S. Department of Commerce budget. The 14th & Constitution Ave. NW far-reaching Washington, DC 20230 Department promotes American Phone: businesses, keeps a vast array of 202-482-2000 economic statistics, Fax: conducts the census, issues 202-482-2741 patents and trademarks, Email: develops technology, NMineta@doc.gov measurements and standards, conducts oceanic research, and forecasts the weather. In addition, Secretary Mineta advises President Clinton on all matters concerning commerce. He serves as a strong voice for businesses and their workers in the Cabinet and as a member of the President's economic team. Secretary Mineta has set as his top priorities: keeping people in business; investing in our nation's future; protecting our coastal and marine resources; continuing to mainstream the new economy - working toward digital inclusion for all Americans; and ensuring an accessible and accountable government. A distinguished public servant for four decades, Secretary Mineta is the first Asian Pacific American to serve in a Presidential Cabinet. Throughout his career, Mineta accomplished many other "firsts": In 1967, he became the first Asian Pacific American Member of the City Council of his hometown of San Jose, California. Just four years later, in 1971, he was elected Mayor of San Jose - the first Asian Pacific American Mayor of a major U.S. city. While serving in the Congress, Mineta founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and served as its first Chair. President Clinton said of him, "he brings an in-depth understanding of American business and a strong sense of the needs of our high-tech economy. But he also has a deep concern for people, for the people in places who are not yet fully participating in this economy." Secretary Mineta, a native of San Jose, California, most recently [spacer] served as Vice President, Special Business Initiatives at Lockheed Martin Corporation. Mineta is a former Member of the United States House of Representatives and has a long and distinguished record of public service. He was first elected to Congress in 1974 to represent Silicon Valley. In 1993, Mineta became Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Public Works and Transportation. Once called the "Cal Ripken of politics," Mineta was admired and respected on Capitol Hill. He was known for his dedication to the people of his district, for consensus building among his colleagues and for forging public-private partnerships. During his tenure in Congress, Mineta's legislative and policy agenda was wide and varied, including major projects in the areas of economic development, science and technology policy, trade, transportation, the environment, intelligence, the budget and civil rights. Throughout his career, Mineta has had extensive experience in economic, business, trade and technology issues. He played a key role in settling the semiconductor chip dispute with Japan, focused on protecting intellectual property rights, worked to make the research and development tax credit permanent, and saw to it that several export administration offices were opened in California, among many other Commerce-related initiatives. Secretary Mineta and his family were among the 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry forced into internment camps by the United States Government during the Second World War. They were uprooted from their home in San Jose and brought to the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, near Cody, Wyoming. During the 100th Congress, Mineta was the driving force behind passage of H.R. 442, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which officially apologized for and redressed the injustices endured by Japanese Americans during the War. In 1995, George Washington University awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Medal to Mineta for his contributions to the field of civil rights. Secretary Mineta is married to Danealia Mineta. He has two sons, David and Stuart Mineta, and two stepsons, Robert and Mark Brantner. [Commerce Job Opportunities] [Decoration] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Home | About DOC | Newsroom | Resources | Person Finder | Site Search ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Privacy Statement | FOIA Home Page | FAIR Act ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The public can email Secretary Mineta at NMineta@doc.gov or Deputy Secretary Mallett at DepSec@doc.gov. If you have questions or comments about this page, contact the webmaster -- email webmaster@doc.gov or phone 202-501-0666 if urgent. -------------------------------------- The address of this page is http://osecnt13.osec.doc.gov/public.nsf/docs/about-the-secretary. It was last updated Friday, August 25, 2000 at 12:31 p.m. EDT. ------------------- U.S. Department of Commerce 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20230