Norman Y. Mineta was the longest serving secretary in the history of the U.S. Department of Transportation, becoming the 14th secretary of transportation on January 25, 2001.

He was also the first Asian-American cabinet member during the Clinton administration, and the first cabinet member to switch directly from a Democratic to a Republican Cabinet, while maintaining his affiliation with the Democratic party. In December 2004, Secretary Mineta accepted President Bush's invitation to continue his service in the Cabinet during the president's second term. 

As secretary of transportation, Mineta oversaw an agency with almost 60,000 employees and a $61.6 billion budget. Created in 1967, the U.S. Department of Transportation brought under one umbrella air, maritime and surface transportation missions.

At the U.S. Department of Transportation, Secretary Mineta delivered on the president's historic commitment to safety. During his first four years as secretary, America achieved the lowest vehicle fatality rate ever recorded, the highest safety belt usage rate ever recorded and the lowest rail fatality level ever recorded. The secretary has overseen the safest three-year period in aviation history. In addition, Secretary Mineta was instrumental in persuading every state in the country to set a blood alcohol
rate at .08 percent, an alcohol level that has proved to be effective in preventing automobile crashes and improving safety.

Secretary Mineta also oversaw the Coast Guard's response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, including developing the Sea Marshal Program, Maritime Safety and Security Teams, and expanding the number and mission of Coast Guard Port Security Units.

Secretary Mineta guided the creation of the Transportation Security Administration, an agency of more than 60,000 employees charged with protecting Americans as they travel across our country. Starting from a blank sheet of paper on Nov. 19, 2001, Secretary Mineta led a team that met all 36 mandates set forth by Congress—including screening all airline passengers by the TSA's first anniversary and all baggage by Dec. 31, 2003. Because of the secretary's leadership, the TSA quickly developed into an effective agency that has restored air travelers' confidence in aviation security following the terrorist attacks. The Transportation Security Administration was transferred to the Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Prior to joining President Bush's administration as secretary of transportation, Mineta served as U.S. secretary of commerce under President Clinton. He was vice president of Lockheed Martin Corporation prior to joining the Commerce Department.

From 1975 to 1995, he served as a member of U.S. House of Representatives, representing the heart of California's Silicon Valley. As a member of Congress, then Representative Mineta was known for his dedication to the people of his district, for consensus building among his colleagues and for forging public-private partnerships. 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. He co-founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and served as its first chair.