San Jose honors native son Norman Mineta with procession, City Hall tribute

SAN JOSE -- Tributes poured in Wednesday for the late San Jose mayor, U.S. congressman and Cabinet secretary Norman Y. Mineta. 

His family brought his remains back to San Jose for a final time to lie in repose at San Jose City Hall. 

Longtime civil rights activist Blanca Alvarado., Mineta's close friend, shared an anecdote of Mineta's legendary modesty, recalled when the former mayor was asked about landing at his namesake airport for the first time.

"I feel proud and honored. And then I'm reminded by my wife to take out the garbage," Alvarado said of Mineta's reaction.

"He was the most impactful person in the history of San Jose. Now hear this, brothers and sisters, Norman Y. Mineta will always be our friend," said Rod Diridon Sr., longtime transportation advocate.

Mineta passed away at his Maryland home on May 3 at the age of 90 following a heart ailment.

After touching down Wednesday at the airport that bears his name, Mineta's remains traveled via motorcade to San Jose's Japantown. 

The procession stopped briefly at San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, Wesley United Methodist Church, and the Mineta family home.

Children from the Lotus Preschool held a sign that read "Thanks a Million", decorated with airplanes. Lynne Yanaichi, Director of the Lotus preschool, said the kids learned about Mineta's achievements as the first Asian American to serve as a city councilmember and mayor of San Jose.

 "Knowing that Mr. Mineta has come from the San Jose Japantown community, it makes a difference. And maybe they don't quite get the whole thing now, but they will," said Yanaichi.

The procession paused at each stop, allowing Mineta's wife, Danealia, and other family members to photograph the dozens of supporters lining the street with flags and signs.

As the procession stopped at Wesley United Methodist Church, the choir sang "Go Now in Peace". Keith Inouye, Senior Pastor, said Mineta was a constant presence over the years, organizing events, and trying his best to blend in to the congregation.

 "And it was never about him. It was always about what he could do for others. And that's what really was so outstanding about Norm," said Inouye.

The procession also made a stop at the railroad tracks at Fifth and Empire Streets. It was there a young Mineta was photographed in his Cub Scouts uniform waiting to board a train with his family to travel to a Japanese internment camp in Wyoming. 

On Wednesday, a group of Cub Scouts stood there at attention to honor his memory. 

Tom Oda, Scout Leader for Troop 201, said the young scouts reflected on how Mineta rose above the racism of the time to serve 10 terms as U.S. Congressman and to go on to become the first Asian to serve in a presidential cabinet.

 "And so for them to understand that somebody who looks like them can grow up to be a leader in today's America," said Oda.

 "Knowing how he lived his life and how he was selfless and served the people around him, I think that is how I would want to live my life," said Boy Scout Grayson Ando, 15.

The motorcade ended at City Hall, where Mineta's remains laid in repose under the rotunda. He is the only person to receive that honor from the city. 

Mineta and his family were among 120,000 Japanese Americans who were forced into internment camps during World War II.

While at the internment camp, Mineta was able to continue his scouting activities and met a fellow scout from outside the camp who became a lifelong friend. The two kept in touch over decades and met once again in Washington, 35 years after they first met. That friend became U.S Senator from Wyoming, Alan Simpson.

The relationship between Mineta and Simpson was chronicled in a CBS This Morning report by Lee Cowan:

Following the war, Mineta returned to San Jose, graduated UC Berkeley and served in the Army as an intelligence officer.

In 1971, he was elected mayor of San Jose, the first Asian American to lead a major U.S. city after serving four years on the City Council.

Three years later, he was elected to the first of 10 terms in Congress. His accomplishments included chairing the House Transportation Committee and championing legislation offering a formal apology and compensation to Japanese Americans who were in internment camps.

Mineta also served as Secretary of Commerce during the closing days of President Bill Clinton's administration. After George W. Bush won the 2000 presidential election, Mineta became the lone Democrat on the Republican's cabinet, serving as Secretary of Transportation.

In 2001, San Jose International Airport was renamed after Mineta.

During his tenure as Transportation Secretary, Mineta led the department in its response to the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, issuing an unprecedented order to ground all flights in U.S. airspace. In the months after, Mineta helped lead the creation of the Transportation Security Administration.

A public memorial is scheduled for Thursday at 10:30am at the San Jose Civic Auditorium. Former President Bill Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta, former Congressman Mike Honda, and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown are scheduled to speak.

Kiet Do contributed reporting.