Norman Mineta, the first Asian American secretary of Transportation and a longtime California lawmaker, died Tuesday, according to a statement released by his former chief of staff. He was 90.
Mineta, a one-time Democratic mayor of San Jose, Calif., served as Cabinet secretary for two presidential administrations, first serving as the secretary of Commerce for Bill Clinton from 2000 to 2001, then serving as secretary of Transportation for George W. Bush from 2001 through 2006.
“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of former @USDOT Secretary Norman Mineta – a strong bipartisan voice for American infrastructure, Asian American trailblazer, and exemplary leader in both local and federal office,” tweeted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.