"Bush picks Mineta to head DOT"

Tuesday, January 2, 2001

Bush picks Democrat to head transportation
Republicans picked for energy and labor, completing Cabinet work
MSNBC staff and wire reports


AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 2 — President-elect George W. Bush filled out his
Cabinet on Tuesday, nominating Democrat Norman Mineta as his transportation
secretary, Sen. Spencer Abraham as his energy secretary and Republican Linda
Chavez as his labor secretary.

Mineta was a surprise because he hadn't been mentioned on an earlier list of
likely contenders for the transportation post.

Abraham, a Michigan Republican, was defeated in his Senate re-election bid
last November. His name also had not been mentioned among energy contenders.

Mineta, President Clinton's commerce secretary since last July, has
experience in transportation, having chaired the House public works and
transportation committee while he was a lawmaker representing California.
His House service started in 1974 and stretched through three decades.

Mineta is best known for his high-tech views on transportation, favoring
research into "maglev" trains that use magnets to float above rails, and
intelligent transport systems like road sensors, collision avoidance
technology and electronic toll booths. He also has shown interest in
electric cars and other alternative vehicles.

You'll find "Avoiding Aviation Gridlock - A Consensus for Change", a report
by the National Civil Aviation Task Force, and chaired by Norm Mineta at:
http://californiaaviation.org/commissionreport.html

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