Remarks by DOT Secretary Norman Y. Mineta at swearing-in ceremony

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The following words were delivered by Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta at his swearing-in ceremony yesterday (February 8) at the White House:

Thank you very, very much, Mr. President and Mr. Vice President. I would like to thank you for paying me the high honor of inviting me to serve in your Administration as Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and I would like to thank the members of the United States Senate for their unanimous support in voting to confirm me for this important position.

From the first days of this Administration, Mr. President, you have been reaching out across party lines to find solutions to the problems facing this great Nation.

As I said on the day you announced my nomination, I can think of no more fertile ground for building bipartisan consensus than in the field of transportation policy.

I look forward to working as part of the Administration's effort to help build that consensus, because it is clear that we must work together to find solutions to the transportation challenges facing our country today.

In my career as a city council member, a mayor, a Member of Congress, as a businessman, and as a cabinet member, I have time and again seen the power of transportation to improve the economic outlook for neighborhoods and communities, and to improve the quality of life of our fellow Americans.

Our economy depends on the ability to quickly and efficiently move people and goods to the places they need to go. The public depends on us, the international community depends on us, and on our partners in state and local government and private industry, to ensure that people and products reach their destinations quickly and safely.

The work of meeting those needs lies at the heart of the mission of the Department of Transportation. It is a mission about which I know you and I both care deeply. I am honored at this opportunity to work with you in carrying out that mission, and by your trust in inviting me to serve in this Administration.

Thank you very much.