Ron Gonzalez, the current mayor of San Jose announced today that he will be asking the San Jose City Council to consider renaming the San Jose International Airport to the Norman Y. Mineta International Airport.
The former South Bay Congressman and mayor of San Jose in the 1970's, Norm Mineta is currently the 14th US Secretary of Transportation. As Secretary of Transportation, Mineta oversees an agency with 100,000 employees and a $58.7 billion budget. Created in 1967, the U.S. Department of Transportation brought air, maritime, and surface transportation missions under one umbrella.
The San Jose City Council today voted to officially change the name of the San Jose International Airport after native son Norm Mineta, former mayor and current U.S. transportation secretary. Renaming California’s third-largest airport to Norman y. Mineta San Jose International Airport will now be presented to the airport commission who will discuss variations of the new name as well as possible costs and matters such as freeway signage.
The Federal Aviation Administration “designator code”, the letters that appear on plane tickets and baggage tags will remain the same: SJC.
SAN JOSE (AP) -- It looks like San Jose International Airport may have a new name this week.
There's been a lot of public disapproval about changing the name -- and there's also a city policy discouraging renaming public facilities.
But despite that -- Mayor Ron Gonzales and most members of the city council say they are ready to vote tomorrow to rename the facility Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.
Mineta is the first Asian-American to serve as a cabinet officer. He's now U-S Secretary of Transportation and also served as San Jose's mayor and as a Congressman from the city for about 20 years.
Gonzales says it's time to recognize Mineta's contributions to the city.
Critics say Mineta isn't well enough known outside the region to warrant naming the airport after him -- and adding his name would create a mouthful that would dilute the city's image.
[This message has been edited by raffy (edited 11-05-2001).]