[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 169 (Saturday, December 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2185-E2186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING NORMAN YOSHIO MINETA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House 
for one minute.
  I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1377, a resolution honoring the 
accomplishments of Norman Yoshio Mineta.
  There are not too many public servants that are requested to serve as 
a cabinet member by a President of a different political party.
  Norman Yoshio Mineta's good nature, astute knowledge and seamless 
ability to be a

[[Page E2186]]

first-rate mediator gave rise to his selection to serve our country 
regardless of the political party at the helm.
  He was the U.S. Secretary of Transportation for President George W. 
Bush and U.S. Secretary of Commerce for President Clinton.
  Despite being forced to leave his home and relocate to the Hear 
Mountain internment camp during World War II (a sad example of civil 
rights injustice), Secretary Mineta's love of country never faltered.
  He fought for our freedom in the U.S. Army, and later was elected 
mayor of San Jose, California.
  He continued his public service as U.S. Representative to the 15th 
district of California where he founded and chaired the bicameral and 
bipartisan Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).
  Secretary Mineta dedicated his life to our country and we are a 
better Nation because of his work and legacy.
  Secretary Mineta is the fitting recipient of the Presidential Medal 
of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, in 2006, 
and the Grand Cordon, Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese 
Government, which was the highest honor bestowed upon an individual of 
Japanese descent outside of Japan.
  Secretary Mineta, we thank you for your service to our Nation.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res 1377 in recognition of his 
lifetime of service to our Nation.

                          ____________________