Norman Mineta Becomes Society's Honorary Chairman

We are pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has elected the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta as the Honorary Chairman of the Japan-America Society of Washington. Mr. Mineta has served as US Secretary of Commerce under President Clinton and Secretary of Transportation under President Bush, as well as a US Congressman for 20 years. He currently is Vice Chairman of Hill and Knowlton.

In December President Bush awarded Secretary Mineta the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award. In doing so, the President said:

"Norman Mineta exemplifies the high ideals of service, integrity, and courage. Despite the injustice of living in an internment camp when he was a child, he later served his country in the U.S. Army and went on to become 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 our confidence in air travel after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The United States honors Norman Y. Mineta for a life of selfless and distinguished service to our Nation. "

To read more about our new Honorary Chairman, please see the latest issue of "Washington Flyer" magazine at http://washingtonflyer.com/article/2006/november_december/The%20Sky.