Norman Mineta Interview (page: 9 / 9) Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation	Print Interview

Could you have imagined, as a Japanese American boy growing up in San José, or interned at Heart Mountain, that one day you would be a City Council member, you would be a mayor, you would be a congressman, you would be a member of two presidential cabinets? Could you have imagined this?

Norman Mineta: Not at all, but I think one of the things that I have been taught by my dad was "Plan your work, and work your plan." The other part of it was, "Always work hard at the job you are at. "

Get the Flash Player to see this video. One of the things about people in politics is that they get their sights set when they're at this point of where they want to be at some point in the future, and they start making decisions here on how they think that will be helpful to get them to this point -- here. The problem is, they generally will trip over something right in front of them because they have their sights set on something way over here, and that is something I haven't done. I have always worked hard at the job I'm at, and then really you're in control, because if an opportunity comes up, then you are in control of saying "Yes, I want to do this," or "No, I don't want to go this direction." But if you have already planned your steps on what you are going to do and how you are going to get there, then you're on somebody else's time scale and somebody else's track, and you're just moving about trying to adjust based on what you think will get you to the next step. So one of the things, as I reflect back, is I've always worked hard at the job I'm at, and that will always open up opportunities for the future, and rather than being set like a robot to get somewhere in a certain time period.

[ Key to Success ] Perseverance

What does it take to achieve, not just in your field, but any field? What do you think the important characteristics are to achieve something in this world?

Norman Mineta: I think, without a doubt, integrity has to be number one. You have to be true to yourself and do the right thing. You are also going to round the corners in doing the right thing, and there are ways of being able to do that without sacrificing the basic principles and the foundation that gives character to an individual.

Whether it is $17 million or $12 million, you can compromise on that, but there are certain things where they say, "We want you to work on this subject matter," and I have to say, "No, I can't, because it's something I don't really believe in." I have been fortunate enough, in the Clinton administration and especially with the Bush administration, where they have asked me to do certain things, and if it's something that I am not comfortable doing, they will say, "Okay." One of the best things for me, the great relationship I have had with the President, is that I don't have to do anything in term of fundraising and politics. I am the envy of other members of the Cabinet, because I don't have to go out and raise funds for the party or the candidates. They really envy me for being in that position.

When young people come to you seeking advice, what do you say?

Norman Mineta: There is a great big world out there, with a lot of opportunities for them to really pursue their own dreams. The other part of it is...

Get the Flash Player to see this video. No matter where you go or what you do, always pay back to the community in some form. Now, people don't have to be elected to be in community service or in public service. To me, you could be well read, you could be a voter, but to do public service is an important facet, and so if a person is an M.D., they can still serve as a member of the Health Commission for a city or a county. They can still be doing, being a Planning Commissioner, Recreation Commissioner, whatever, because mayors and county commissions and governors and presidents are always looking for people who are willing to devote some time to public service and take their own background, their own expertise, and share that with the community.

[ Key to Success ] Integrity

Looking ahead into the 21st century, what do you think are the problems most important for us to solve in America?

Norman Mineta: I think the biggest challenges are still regarding health and education. I think back to my dad sending my sister off to Berkeley in 1933. When you think about a young woman going off to college in 1933, he just felt that whether being a woman or being of Japanese American ancestry, education is still a foundation for your own future. If you don't have good health, you can't pursue your educational pursuit either. I don't know a thing about it other than what I read, but when I think about the HIV-AIDS catastrophe, it seems to me that's something that we have got to be really working at in terms of the future of mankind.

How would you like to be remembered: What would you want your legacy to be?

Norman Mineta: That he got things done for people.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you very much.

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