[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 6 (Monday, February 12, 2001)]
[Pages 273-274]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony for Norman Y. Mineta
as Secretary of Transportation

February 8, 2001

    Good afternoon to you all. Thank you all for coming. Norm, welcome 
back to the White House. Usually at events like this, a new Secretary is 
joining the Cabinet. This time a new Cabinet is joining the Secretary.
    I'm pleased that you're back. I'm glad that your wife is with us. 
I'm going to welcome your family members to the Oval Office. Thank you 
all for coming.
    For 21 years, Norm Mineta represented the Silicon Valley in the 
United States Congress. He understands the great challenges taking place 
in the economic life of our country. He has an understanding of the 
transportation needs of America. He knows that America relies more than 
ever on the soundness of our roads and rails, bridges and runways. And 
as our economy grows, so must our capacity to move people and goods 
quickly and efficiently.
    This means investment in new infrastructure, as well as overdue 
repairs of the old. Working with State and local governments, we will 
work to meet the demands of our growing economy.
    Americans are especially concerned about our aviation system. The 
results of economic expansion are clearly visible at our crowded 
airports. We must continue to reform and modernize the Federal Aviation 
Administration, and our Secretary of Transportation brings the talents 
necessary to address the problems and, more importantly, find the 
solutions.
    Our new Secretary will also work with States and localities in 
planning new roads and alternative transportation, such as bus and 
light-rail systems. From Los Angeles to Austin to right here in 
Washington, the trials of commuting increase every year. It's going to 
take some clear thinking and creativity to accommodate our Nation's 
increasing travel demands. And Norm Mineta is the right man for the job.
    It's a high honor to serve the two Cabinets, as the Vice President 
said. Norm has earned this honor. His life is a story of determination 
and courage and service. As a child, he lived

[[Page 274]]

in an internment camp. As a young man, he wore his country's uniform in 
Korea and Japan. From there, he went on to become a mayor, a 
Congressman, and a Cabinet Secretary.
    I thank him for accepting my invitation to serve again, and I'm 
honored to have him by my side.
    Mr. Secretary.

Note: The President spoke at 1:30 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary Mineta's wife, Danealia. 
The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also 
included the remarks of Secretary Mineta.