Two Events, One Shared History at Mineta San José International Airport

Norman Y. Mineta joined today with representatives of the city of San José, his namesake airport, airlines and other airport partners, and the community to celebrate 50 years of United Airlines service at SJC and to have a special U.S. flag dedicated and permanently mounted in Terminal B in his honor.

The consecutive events, both headlined by Secretary Mineta, were a unique opportunity for the local community to recognize him for his profound influence on the City of San José and Silicon Valley, SJC and other U.S. commercial service airports, and the nation’s transportation infrastructure.

“We are proud to welcome home Secretary Norman Y. Mineta to San José to commemorate 50 years of United Airlines service and to dedicate a special U.S. flag in his honor,” said Mayor Sam Liccardo. “Secretary Mineta has made significant contributions to the success of Silicon Valley, the airport that bears his name, and our nation’s transportation network - and we will forever be grateful for his decades of distinguished service to our community.”

Joining Secretary Mineta and SJC’s Director of Aviation John Aitken to celebrate 50 years of service at the carrier’s ticket counter in Terminal A was United Airlines’ Bryan Quigley, Vice President – San Francisco. The carrier inaugurated scheduled service at SJC on August 20, 1968, operating a Boeing 727 to Chicago-O’Hare International Airport (ORD). This was the same year ORD “broke the 30 million passenger mark for the first time” according to the airport’s website.

The aviation leaders recognized current and retired staff on United Airlines’ golden anniversary at SJC. Speakers and guests reminisced with tales of the carrier’s changing tail schemes over the years, viewed airline memorabilia, and cut a creative cake to mark the significant milestone.

"United is proud to have been part of the San Jose community for 50 years," said Janet Lamkin, United President of California. "We connect California to the world, and we look forward to serving Silicon Valley's airport for decades to come."
Following the United Airlines celebration, Secretary Mineta continued to the Terminal B bag claim area to be recognized by Silicon Valley friends and colleagues for his leadership in local and federal government, and for his commitment to strengthening civil and human rights. Speakers paying tribute were Mayor Liccardo, former Congressman Mike Honda (CA17), Grace Kubota Ybarra, the flag donor, and Aitken.

Kubota Ybarra, who was a two-year-old when she met 10-year-old Mineta at a Japanese-American internment camp in Wyoming during WWII, told the story about the flag’s history and significance and the importance of dedicating it to Secretary Mineta.

The flag was flown on top of the U.S. Capitol building on the last day of Congressman Mineta’s service as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Mineta donated the flag to a fundraising event for Sacred Heart Church in San José for a silent auction fundraising event, where Kubota Ybarra and her husband Jack outbid competitors. They donated the flag to SJC for permanent display at “the facility that bears the name of our good friend and one of the most distinguished public servants we have ever known,” she said.

“The Airport team is pleased to create a historical milestone today by bringing together members of our community to recognize a great leader and an important airline, both of which have contributed to the success of Mineta San José International Airport and our aviation industry as a whole,” said Aitken. “It has been 17 years since we changed SJC’s name to the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, which was another proud moment in our City’s history. Our 50-year partnership with United Airlines continues to be strong and supportive of Silicon Valley travelers’ needs.”

Secretary Mineta’s public service included representing San José for almost 30 years, first on the City Council, then as mayor, and then as a Member of Congress. He served under two consecutive Presidents, Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush, as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Secretary of Transportation, respectively. While Secretary of Transportation and in response to the tragic terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Secretary Mineta grounded all planes on that day. During this challenging time for our nation, he guided the creation of the Transportation Security Administration.

In addition to his accomplishments in the areas of transportation – aviation, surface transportation, and infrastructure – and national security, Secretary Mineta has been recognized for his work in economic development, science and technology policy, foreign and domestic trade, budgetary issues and human and civil rights.

United Airlines currently operates six daily nonstop flights from SJC, with service to Chicago-O’Hare, Denver, Houston-Intercontinental, and Newark/New York area.