REMEMBERING
Norman Y. Mineta

Norm Mineta was on the Advisory Board for the Youth Science Institute (YSI) and Norm was very good about showing up at our annual meeting at the YSI Vasona Nature Center each year that coincided with our wildflower show. Around 1985 I went to Washington D.C. to talk to the Institute for Museum Services (IMS) about a grant we had applied for. Norm saw me from the end of a hall and called out, "David, what are you doing in Washington?" I walked up to him and explained that I was lobbying for an IMS grant we had applied for. He said, "follow me into my office; let's set up a meeting in my office so I can learn more about your grant proposal." Norm's admins quickly set up a half hour meeting for the next day. Then Norm said "Have you ever visited the White House?" I replied, no, and Norm requested that I get a ticket for a White House tour. We got our grant, which was likely influenced by Norm, but I was so impressed that Norm recognized me among a crowd of a dozen or more people from probably 35 feet away, and then made sure he did everything he could for me. It was amazing! I have a wonderful picture of my dad, Charles L. Johnston, M.D., discussing politics and his experiences as a medical officer in post war Japan with Norm at one of YSI's annual meetings. My dad was stationed in Hiroshima for two years as a physician to help victims of the atomic bomb. He learned a lot about Japanese culture and loved the Japanese people. After settling along the Saratoga Creek my parents built a Japanese garden in our back yard and I have fond memories of my parents hosting Japanese dinner parties while growing up. I believe my dad's compassion and love of Japanese people and culture resonated well with Norm. Norm had an amazing compass in life. He was an extraordinary person in so many ways, and his influence will be felt for many, many generations.

During 911 Attacks, I was working for United Airlines. I usually fly to and from those East Coast. At the time, I was in Los Angeles and waking up to go to LAX when I learned about the attacks. A few hours later, I learned that Mr. Mineta ordered commercial flights to be grounded, and to have the current in-flight aircrafts to land at the nearest airport. Mineta's thoughtful and strategic orders were right.

I remember one year when I was traveling to the Heart Mountain Pilgrimage. I was boarding the small shuttle airplane that would take me from Salt Lake City to Cody, WY. I saw Norm and his wife already seated in the plane. I stopped to introduce myself. Norm than said, "Hi, I'm Norm". I then said, yes, I know who you are. He just thought of himself as a regular person. I will always remember that small interaction.

At the special showing of the documentary "An American Story-Norman Mineta and his Legacy" in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA. 08-05-2018. The title is so fitting as Norm's story is an American story... Sam Luk

My deepest condolences to Deni and the Mineta family. Norm was an American Hero, a wonderful human being and statesman, very passionate in serving his country and our AAPI community. As one of the most-respected political leaders in United States history, Norm will also be remembered as one of the most accomplished Asian American political figures as well. He was down to earth and attentive to his constituents. I was impressed that he would always remember my name. I will forever cherish and honor to have known him and have the opportunities to converse with him on varies issues important to the AAPI community. We will miss his present dearly.

Norm and my father Carlos C. Ogden Sr. most likely became friends in San Jose during the ‘60s, when my father headed the San Jose Chamber of Commerce Membership department and probably recruited the Mineta family insurance company. Both my father and Norm had quit a lot in common during those years. My father was asked (but turned down) to run for Mayor of San Jose, Norm was Mayor in 1971. Both my father and Norm were active in Boy Scouts and little league baseball. Norm participated in both. My father was coach and scout master. Dad had told me quite often if I meet Norm, to ask Norm “are you an old bastard?”, which I balked at, but my daughter did exactly that during her visit and tour of Wash. D.C. with Norm and some friends. He looked Kristin straight in the eyes and answered “you bet your sweet ass I am!” the standard answer of the OOOB (Order Of the Old Bastards), which Norm and my father, along with several other notable celebrities in San Jose, were associated. Our family was honored to have Norm attend my father’s funeral at the Arlington National Cemetery in 2001, where my Mother and Father are now both buried. My father received The Congressional Medal of Honor, 4 Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star for his combat duty in Normandy during World War ll. I am now privileged to be part of the Francis family, which Norm is lovingly called Uncle Norm. Ralph Ogden (former Golden State Warrior player 1970-71)

I want to send my deepest condolences to the Mineta family. My 89 year old Nisei father and I attended the San Jose memorial service, as my father was a huge follower of Secretary Mineta throughout his career. My dad also went to internment camp, Cal, worked at the Cal Department of Transportation, and then for the City of San Jose as an electrical engineer so felt a close tie to him. My dad sobbed during the memorial service, and I think we both came away from lessons learned: what can we do to be upstanders and family is everything. For me, I learned that being present with your children has lasting impact. (I have 3 young boys.) I want to lastly thank your entire family for your sacrifices and service to San Jose community. It is not lost on me that you did not get all the family time with Dad because he was busy working. So thank you. I can't wait to share the story of Secretary Mineta with my sons. We are so happy that you brought Secretary Mineta home to San Jose. It is so meaningful to our community that you did that. As a Japanese-American, Secretary Mineta was our everything. We knew he was always fight for us and representing us, and we cannot thank you him and you enough. I hope that the wonderful memories that you have with your father and husband fill your hearts with joy during the difficult times. He is still and always will be with you. In gassho, Stephanie

Norm played in the 110's basketball team at San Jose High School in the '47-'48 season and I played in the 120's team. At the end of the season there were two players who apparently didn't have enough playing time or quarters to earn a Block SJ: Norm and I. But we finally were awarded our block SJs. In my 1948 yearbook, The Bell, Norm signed "To a fellow player who nearly missed his block by one quarter. Norman Mineta." We often recall that event in our reunions. The photo was taken at our SJHS reunion in August 2015 at Mariani's Inn & Restaurant, Santa Clara: the athletes of over 60 years ago: John Ratliff, Grayson Taketa, Robert Ragsac and Norm.

This photo is very special to me, as I introduced Norm Mineta and June Kuramoto. In 1990, I invited Norm and June Kuramoto to MC a New Year's Eve event for the Japanese American Community Foundation in San Jose. Both accepted! This photo was taken at the 2016 National JACL Convention in Las Vegas (26 years later!)-I nominated June and Dan as JAs of the Biennium. June always tells me that Norm and Deni attend their East Coast Hiroshima concerts. I always looked forward to seeing and listening to Norm Mineta at National JACL conventions and will feel the void this year. May you rest in peace, Norman Mineta.

After the Northridge Earthquake, then-Congressman Mineta fought to restore the insurance industry so people could get mortgages to buy homes. I was honored to accompany him to a news conference where he advocated for community cooperation to resolve the insurance crisis. His advocacy led to donations from major insurers to create the California Earthquake Authority's initial fund. He was my hero, a man who quietly and effectively fought for what was right for the community. While others were busy grandstanding, Secretary Mineta was developing programs that made a difference in people's lives. He was an inspiration to generations of public servants who intentionally follow in his path of service. As a member of the Mineta Transportation Institute team, I will strive to honor his memory by educating the next generation of transportation leaders.

Dear Mineta Family, I have known Norm since the summer of 1987 when, along with about 150 people, I and my wife Rumiko traveled to Washington, D.C. to support him and others to pass HR442, which ultimately became law as the historic Civil Liberties Act of 1988. As a fellow Japanese American U.S. incarceration camp survivor, I recall personally speaking with Norm and some of his JA colleagues at the time that included Senator Spark Matsunaga and Congressman Robert Matsui, who have also unfortunately passed away. From the beginning I was very impressed with not only Norm's wide knowledge of things that really matter in our lives, but also his humanity, eloquence, and graciousness. I later met Norm many times as per my long-continued association with the Asian American Architects/Engineers Association of Southern California (AAa/e), for which he was one of our keynote speakers and lifetime achievement award recipients. Lastly, I signed the very same vintage 48-star legacy American flag dedicated to JA camp survivors that Norm signed, for which has recently been donated to the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. I will always remember dear Norm in fondness, fellowship, and sincere appreciation. Linden Nishinaga

The Honorable Norm Mineta was an inspiration and a true leader on so many issues of importance to this nation, and I was greatly honored to have the opportunity to recognize his leadership on ocean stewardship in particular. Back in 2014, when I was President and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation -- the private non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System, and the host of Capitol Hill Ocean Week and the Ocean Awards Gala -- I presented the Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award to both Norm Mineta and Bill Ruckelshaus for their work as co-chairs of the Joint Ocean Commission Institute. Mr. Mineta accepted the award on behalf of Mr. Ruckelshaus and himself, and as always, was warm and gracious and humble, but ever passionate and dedicated and sharp, in his remarks. It was a most memorable evening and stands out as a highlight of the many award ceremonies we had over the years. A true honor to recognize a true hero of the world. Here is the video we prepared in honor of Mr. Mineta and Mr. Ruckelshaus, which celebrated both their many achievements over their illustrious careers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9NK3yJ1SdY Here is a wonderful interview of Mr. Mineta and Mr. Ruckelshaus together as part of the awards ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl7Y6U7GzQ0 And here is Mr. Mineta's acceptance speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DjVxCgxYdI&t=469s

I was introduced to Norm by Les Francis, his former Administrative Assistent in the House of Representatives, during the Carter Administration where Les and I were colleagues. Norm was Les' mentor, hero and friend. Because I was a colleague and friend of Les, naturally I joined Norm's large and growing extended family and fan club. I just loved him from the first time we met...his smiling eyes, warm greeting, sense of humor, love of his family and devotion to public service were instantly and forever clear. After the Carter White House, Les and I became partners in public affairs consulting and Uncle Norm was always a source of ideas and encouragement. Later, as CEO of the Council For Excellence in Government, I had more opportunities to experience and celebrate Norm's unparalleled public service and warm friendship.The Council chose to honor Norm and Sandra Day O'Connor with the Elliot Richardson Prize for Excellence and Integrity in Government in 2007 and I was honored to interview them at an event televised on CSpan, which was designed to share their personal leadership stories in an effort to attract talented young people to public service. Norm talked about his family, his early years, his career in public service, and what motivated him as Mayor San Jose, as a Member of Congress and Cabinet Secretary for Presidents Clinton and Bush. He told the story of his family being taken from their home in California during World War II to an internment camp at Hart Mountain Wyoming because of their Japanese heritage. Norm was an American citizen and Boy Scout, who wore his uniform on the train that took him away from his home to a remote camp surrounded by a barbed wire fences. It was there that he met and shared a tent with another Scout at a Boy Scout Jamboree. Alan Simpson, who lived nearby in Wyoming, was Norm's tent mate. The two boys bonded immediately and mischievously decided to dig a moat around their tent during a big rainstorm to direct the flow of water down into the tent of an annoying bully who was camped next to and below them. This was the beginning of a life-long friendship that brought them together again when Norm as elected to Congress and Alan became a US Senator. This bipartisan pair of public service pioneers were legendary leaders who made lives better for countless people and fought for justice and against racial prejudice, while sharing a deep mutual respect, caring for each other and laughing together over the years. Norm's accomplishments, honors and contributions to the public good are featured through this legacy project. My message is not only to celebrate the incredible accomplishments in every dimension of his career, but more personally to express my gratitude for his gracious way of including so many in his extended family, caring so deeply for his family, mentoring future leaders, building bridges and focusing on results without seeking credit or personal recognition. Norm was driven to improve lives, expand justice and opportunity, and increase the efficiency and safety of transportation and commerce. And he was guided in all things by his loving spirit, belief in his staff and partners, insistence on the best possible outcomes and simply doing the right thing, always. I and so many others whose lives he touched will miss him and ask ourselves frequently, in a variety of situations, "What would Norm do?"

I'm just back from the wonderful memorial service for Norm, and thank you for welcoming me. I knew Norm only briefly, when we served together 2013-15 on a task force trying to advance ATC corporatization. At the service today, several speakers commented that Norm had time for everyone, and that sure was my sense. I remember well sitting with him at task force lunches and yakking about the airline business (I worked for American for 22 years). I felt like he was a long friend. Thank you, Norm, for everything you did to advance mobility, human rights, and so much more.

Norm was a thoughtful and caring friend. On behalf of all former TWA Pilots and Flight Attendants, thank you for caring about us. Thank you for your strong and steady hand on the tiller of the nation’s transportation system in the aftermath of 9-11. Godspeed my friend! You are already missed.

Such a dear sole and gentleman. From play yard basketball at Peter Burnett (1946?) to San Jose Family Camp with our respective young families (1968?). I always considered Norm a good friend, and though he rose to much much greater positions, he always recognized me and remembered me by name. Norm will be greatly missed by many. May he rest in peace. Ted Fletscher

I met Norm at an award dinner in DC in 2007. He was being honored with a lifetime achievement award and I was among a number of additional awardees. During a quiet moment beforehand, he walked up to me, and with a glint in his eye, pointed a finger at me and said, “I know you! Your grandfather used to give us dimes when we helped at his laundry in Saratoga!” What a special surprise, to be recognized by the Honorable Norman Mineta having never met him before! In my head I could hear my father proudly stating that he was a classmate of the Secretary of Transportation and that they crossed paths while interned in Heart Mountain...but that was sixty-five years ago. How did Norm know who I was? In a box of old family photos, I came across a register of baby gifts received by my grandparents when my father was born in 1931. In the ledger was an entry for a quilt from Mr. & Mrs. K. Mineta. I also found a 1951 program for my great-grandmother’s memorial service at the Japanese Methodist Church in San Jose which listed Mrs. K. Mineta as presiding. It was a delight piecing together a bit of my family’s history and discovering long forgotten ties to the Minetas. That spark that Norman gave me in 2007 was a true gift, and I thank him and his parents, Kunisaku and Kane, for inspiring our family on a deeply personal level. Condolences to the entire Mineta family. We shall miss him.

Walking around Japantown San Jose. You never know who you might meet!

Patti Brady sent this along. She was an exchange student to Okayama from San Jose when Norm was a City Councilmember. She said that he personally helped students, doing whatever was needed. Sometimes, it was buying them a hamburger. Sometimes it was a smile when they needed recognition. Sometimes it was a question "Is there anything I can do for you?"

I was a professor at Washington State University between 1986 and 1994. In 1988, the Association for Asian American Studies Convention was held on the WSU campus, and I was able to hear Mr. Mineta's presentation on the passage of the redress legislation. He told a humorous story about how when he was a child, he loved baseball. He wanted to take his baseball bat to the internment camp with him, but government officials determined that this bat could be used as a weapon, so they took it away from him. The then all-time leading home run hitter, Henry Aaron, heard this story, so he signed a bat and gave it to then Rep. Mineta. However, because a signed bat by Aaron was considered very valuable, the government assessed that the bat's value exceeded the government's limit on gifts to public officials, so they confiscated this bat. Mineta jokingly but irritatingly said, "The damned government took away my bat twice!"