by Richard Weingroff / FHWA News 2022

On May 6, 2022, President Biden signed S. 400 naming DOT headquarters after two former Secretaries of Transportation:  the "William T. Coleman, Jr. and Norman Y. Mineta Federal Building." The name applies to the East and West Buildings collectively; one name will not be applied the East Building and the other to the West Building.

Secretary Coleman, the first African-American to hold the post, served under President Gerald Ford (March 7, 1975 – January 20, 1977).  President George W. Bush appointed Secretary Mineta, the first Asian American Secretary of Transportation, who would serve the longest term in the office (January 25, 2001 - August 7, 2006).

"Coleman, a long-time civil rights giant, served as our country's first African American Secretary of Transportation, and Mineta devoted his life to public service before becoming the first Asian American Secretary of Transportation."

The final bill was a compromise by the House and Senate.  On April 14, 2021, the Senate approved S. 400 by unanimous consent.  It called for naming DOT Headquarters the "William T. Coleman, Jr., Federal Building."  On November 4, 2021, the House approved H.R. 4679 to name DOT Headquarters the "Norman Yoshio Mineta Federal Building" by a vote of 409 to 14.

On March 31, 2022, the House considered and passed S. 400 with an amendment naming DOT Headquarters to honor both men.  The Senate followed on April 6, 2022, completing congressional action on the measure.

Following Senate passage, Senator Thomas R. Carper (DE), chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, referred to the two former Secretaries as "dedicated public servants."  He said, "Coleman, a long-time civil rights giant, served as our country's first African American Secretary of Transportation, and Mineta devoted his life to public service before becoming the first Asian American Secretary of Transportation."

Senator Shelley Moore Capito (WV) called them "pioneers in their times leading the Department of Transportation, helping advance American infrastructure and improve transportation safety across the country."  Passage of the bill was, therefore, "a fitting tribute."

Chairman Peter DeFazio of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure said the bill "pays tribute to two American patriots."  He added, "For their contributions to this institution, to our government, and to the field of transportation, Secretary William T. Coleman, Jr. and Secretary Mineta deserve this recognition."

Secretary Coleman was 96 years old when he passed away on March 31, 2017.  FHWA News's In Memoriam for Secretary Coleman can be found here, and is also posted on FHWA's Public Highway History Website at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/coleman.cfm.

Secretary Mineta passed away on May 3, 2022, at the age of 90.  A memoriam honoring Secretary Mineta can be in this issue of FHWA News.

As children, Secretary Coleman and Secretary Mineta were victims of social forces beyond their control.  As adults, they were trailblazers who helped change America for the better.