Norman Mineta (Photo provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation)
WASHINGTON (AP) — A portrait of the first Asian Pacific American to hold a presidential cabinet post is being installed in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
The portrait of former U.S. Transportation and Commerce Secretary Norman Mineta was installed last Monday, becoming part of the museum’s permanent collection.
President Bill Clinton appointed Mineta as commerce secretary in 2000, and President George W. Bush appointed him as transportation secretary in 2001. Previously, Mineta served in Congress for 20 years, representing California.
During World War II, Mineta and his parents, who were Japanese immigrants, were detained in an internment camp. In 1971, Mineta was elected mayor of San Jose, making him the first Asian American mayor of a major U.S. city. ♦