The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mourns the passing of former Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. TSA was established in the Department of Transportation following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our country. Secretary Mineta, as our founding Secretary, worked tirelessly to craft and then implement the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001. Less than a week ago, TSA celebrated the 20th anniversary of the federalization of the first airport, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Following BWI, over 400 airports across the country were transitioned to federalized screening before the end of 2002, a monumental effort completed under the guidance of Secretary Mineta.
An inspirational leader, Secretary Mineta participated in TSA events over the years and attended our 2018 annual awards ceremony where he presented the inaugural Norman Y. Mineta Leadership Award, TSA’s highest honor. Additionally, his powerful words are inscribed on TSA’s cornerstone, presented to TSA upon our transfer to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 and prominently displayed in our headquarters.
We feel his presence every day in performing our critical mission to protect our transportation system. We continue our work in honor of his legacy and extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Deni, and the entire Mineta family.