Asian Fortune Your source for all things Asian American
By Jennie L. Ilustre
Picture this: Norman Y. Mineta, the first Asian American Cabinet member in the nation’s history, standing by the door, watching a community program, smiling.
President George W. Bush for giving “his country a lifetime of service.”
That image sums him up. He was a man who was at his happiest in opening doors of opportunities for all Americans, not just Asian Americans.
He also opened doors to the past, correcting injustice, making the present and the future brighter. As mayor, congressman, and cabinet member to two presidents, he truly made a difference. He is a role model and an inspiration to everyone.
Mineta passed away on May 3 in his home in Maryland, but his legacy lives on. He was 90. The Asian American community mourned his passing, but found solace in sharing stories about him in an online gathering.
The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), which he founded, welcomed others to send their stories in its website.
His vision for APAICS, and for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), which he co-founded, was far-reaching: Promote participation and representation “at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office.”
Today, there are 2 Senators and 15 Congressmen and Congresswomen of Asian roots in the U.S. Congress. They help make laws that affect the daily lives and the future of all Americans, including Asian Americans.
‘Greatness’
Remarked Madalene Xuan-Trang Mielke, President & CEO of APAICS: “Secretary Mineta was a giant in our community. His legacy included many firsts, and beyond his historic wins, Secretary Mineta left an everlasting mark on our community, advocating for all of us to achieve greatness.
She added: “Secretary Mineta’s resiliency and perseverance brought enormous visibility, investment and power to address the needs of our community. It is because of him, that we now celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, that our community is represented in the Executive Branch, and why the United States issued a formal apology to the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.”
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Secretary Mineta’s wife Deni, his children David, Stuart, Bob and Mark, and his family and friends.”
Susan Jin Davis, APAICS Board Chair, noted: “Secretary Mineta united our wonderfully diverse community, and made room for each and every one of us. Having endured internment and encountered racism and discrimination for being Japanese American, Secretary Mineta truly understood how important it was to fight for justice and equality. He was always our community’s strongest voice and never gave up hope that we could be a truly united nation.”
“Despite his stature and fame, Secretary Mineta was ever approachable and always generously gave us his time, care, and attention,” she said. “He knew us by name and our story and, if he didn’t, he would take the time to learn about us and become a friend. I am forever grateful to Secretary Mineta for his leadership, encouragement and inspiration. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.”
Service to the Nation
Two former presidents paid tribute to Norman Y. Mineta. Former President George W. Bush said, “As my Secretary of Transportation, he showed great leadership in helping prevent further attacks on and after 9/11,” according to The Mercury News.
In presenting Mineta with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006, Bush noted Mineta gave “his country a lifetime of service.” The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Former President Bill Clinton said he would “always be proud to have nominated him as Secretary of Commerce, making him the first Asian American Cabinet member in our nation’s history.”
In The Mercury News report, he was also quoted as describing Mineta as “a staunch defender of civil liberties and civil rights, an important voice for science and technology, and a champion of infrastructure and public transit.”
‘A National Treasure’
Francey Youngberg said, “Norm is a national treasure,” calling him by his popular nickname. “He founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Institute, later renamed APAICS.
“I left the practice of law to become the Founding Executive Director of APAICS when he hired me,” she recalled. “I never looked back. He was my mentor, my friend and my inspiration to continue public service in two Presidential administrations. Norm’s legacy lives on in the many lives he touched.”
‘The Catalyst’
Gloria T. Caoile is a founding member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) and its Director of Civic Engagement in Nevada. She recalled that it was Mineta who was “the catalyst” for the AAPI’s presidential inaugural celebration.
“He valued inclusion, championed democracy, and promoted civic participation. He wanted our communities to celebrate our political victories. He instructed a group of us to organize an AAPI inaugural gala and told us the President of the United States would be there to recognize our contributions. Wisely, he combined our cultural appreciation for gatherings with political participation.”
Future Generations
Remarked AAPI Victory Fund President Varun Nikore: “Our hearts are broken with the passing of our mentor, Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. He inspired generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders to make a difference. A giant among us, he leaves footprints that future generations can follow.”
Political Empowerment
Jon Melegrito, former Executive Director of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), pointed out: “Norm Mineta inspired our community aspirations for political empowerment dating back to the 1970s. He encouraged Filipino Americans to run for public office and supported their campaigns.”
He added: “He was among the strong advocates for Filipino World War Ii veterans, championing their cause for pension and other benefits in Congress and in the executive branch. We will miss his passion and his voice, for which we are immensely grateful.”
Community Champion
Eric Lachica, executive director, American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV) said, “We will miss Norm’s calm, effective and inspirational leadership. Our Filipino American community owes a debt of gratitude to Norm for championing our Filipino World War II veterans and Asian American community issues during the Clinton and Bush Administrations.”
Leadership
Bing Cardenas Branigin, founding member of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, or NaFFAA, said Mineta was a true friend of the Filipino American community.
“For years, he helped us in our struggles to get pension, medical and other benefits for our World War ll veterans in the U.S. Congress,” she said. “He was NaFFAA’S friend. He attended our conferences and spoke at leadership panels to encourage Filipino Americans to run for office.”
She recalled: “Aside from politics, policies, and community leadership, Norm and I would talk about his love of baseball. As everyone knows, as a kid he was a Boy Scout and a big fan of the sport. During the internment of the Japanese American families, Norm was wearing his scout uniform and carried a baseball bat. Unfortunately, that was taken away from him as it was deemed as a deadly weapon.”
She continued: “So when he was using a cane to walk, he had a cane shaped like a baseball bat. It was a gift from a friend and made by a baseball bat manufacturer.”
Asian Fortune
When Jay Chen, the late Asian Fortune editor and publisher, decided to start a community newspaper, Mineta was among the first people he talked to.
Mineta was enthusiastic, welcoming the idea as filling an essential need in the community. He was practical, too. He asked, “How are you going to finance it?” Mineta was very encouraging and supportive, and wished him luck and success in the endeavor.
When Chen passed away, Mineta promptly agreed to give the eulogy. The request was made on short notice over the phone. (Norm always answered phone calls.) He was busy the whole day. In fact, he was still working past business hours.
“I will write it as soon as I get back at the office,” he said. He wrote a beautiful tribute, too. He was not able to deliver it in person due to a prior commitment, and had someone deliver it for him.
To be sure, Mineta had many distinguished titles. But it speaks volumes that everybody just called him “Norm,” like any friend. For that was what he was: A friend, a true friend…to everyone.
