Washington, D.C. – President George W. Bush honored the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civil award, on Dec. 15. One of the recipients is Norman Mineta.
Mineta has served as a mayor, congressman, and Cabinet Secretary under two Presidents. The longest-serving Secretary of Transportation, he worked to improve the security of our transportation system and restore confidence in air travel after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi congratulated the former Secretary of Transportation Mineta on receiving the award: “Secretary Norman Mineta has served his country with honor and distinction and it is fitting that he has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This recognition, the nation’s highest civil honor, was presented to Secretary Mineta because of his life-long dedication to public service and record of accomplishment.
“Secretary Norm Mineta is a treasure to the American people. I thank him for his service and congratulate him on receiving this prestigious award.”
Established by Executive Order 11085 in 1963, the Medal may be awarded by the President “to any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”.
