AC Congratulates Norman Mineta
The First Asian American Cabinet Member

Photo: Win McNamee/Reuters

July 21, 2000

     WASHINGTON -- The Senate late Thursday confirmed Norman Y. Mineta, a former House member and defense contractor executive, to President Clinton's Cabinet as Secretary of Commerce.

     The Senate confirmed Mineta, who will be the first Asian American Cabinet member, on a voice vote.

     The appointment will be for only six months, through the end of Clinton's term. Mineta succeeds Bill Daley, who left to run Vice President Al Gore's presidential campaign.

Photo: Dennis Cook/AP Photo

     At his confirmation hearing this week, Mineta said he intends to work on keeping the economy growing, developing new foreign markets for American business, helping develop technology, rebuilding fisheries and keeping the Commerce Department accessible and accountable.

     Mineta, 68, a Japanese American who spent his childhood in a Wyoming internment camp during World War II, represented the Silicon Valley area of Northern California in the House for 21 years. He became chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee in 1993 but lost the seat after Republicans won control of the House in 1994.

     He resigned in 1995 to join Lockheed Martin Corp., the nation's largest defense contractor, as senior vice president of its transportation systems and services division.

     AsianConnections will be reporting on Secretary of Commerce Mineta's activities.

- iSyndicate