March 9, 2007

Norm Mineta honored by San Jose business, political leaders

Local political icon pledges proceeds to Japanese American Museums

By Ali Abdollahi
Staff Writer

Several hundred people were on hand as San Jose political icon Norm Mineta was honored at a “Hometown Celebration” held at the Fairmont Hotel on Feb. 24.

Asian-American political icon Norm Mineta (middle) participates in a traditional sake barrel ceremony at the “Hometown Celebration” held in his honor at the Fairmont Hotel Feb. 24.

Mineta’s lengthy political career has included terms as the city councilman and mayor of San Jose, a U.S. Congressman, Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton and Secretary of Transportation under President George W. Bush.

Attendees at the celebration included Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye, Representative Mike Honda, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and “Star Trek” and “Heroes” actor George Takei.

Also in attendance was Makoto Yamanaka, Consul General of Japan. “[Yamanaka’s] presence says a great deal about how far Norm’s influence has reached during his long career in public service,” said event co-chair Yoshihiro Uchida.

One of the most powerful Asian Americans in the nation’s history, Mineta and his family endured the horrors of government internment camps during World War II. Despite that experience, he went on to become a military intelligence officer, before entering his family’s insurance business. Thanks in part to financial backing from San Jose’s Japanese-American community, Mineta and a host of other young Japanese-Americans entered the world of politics, hoping to provide a voice for minorities in government.

At Mineta’s request, proceeds from the fundraising event will help archive his collection of historic papers and artifacts, which he donated to the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. Proceeds from the event will also benefit the Japanese American Museum in San Jose, where Mineta was born, raised, and began his political career.

“[Mineta] continues to show his generous nature by using this tribute to support two museums that help all Americans understand the great contributions to this country from people of Japanese heritage,” said Honda.

Honored hundreds of times during his political career, Mineta already holds the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award. Said event co-chair Michael E. Fox, Sr., “Norm Mineta is a prime example of how someone can achieve the American dream in the face of cultural and political challenges. He is a true role model for exemplary citizenship.”

With the San Jose International airport already sporting his name, some city officials have suggested going one step further and naming Highway 85 after the esteemed politician. When interviewed on a local news station about the possibility the humble Mineta joked about the potential drawbacks saying, “I already have friends blaming me for late flights at the Mineta airport, I don’t want to hear anyone blame me if they get a ticket on the Mineta Highway!”