- NORMAN Y. MINETA UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION Norman Y. Mineta became the 14th U.S. Secretary of Transportation on January 25, 2001. In nominating him, President Bush said, Norm made a reputation in the halls of Congress as someone who understands that a sound infrastructure in America will lead to economic opportunity for all Americans. Transportation is key to generating and ...www.dot.gov/affairs/mineta.htm