Rafu Shimpo, News Report, Posted: Apr 23, 2012

 Small business owner Jay Chen, a candidate for Congress, announced last week that former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta and his leadership PAC, America’s Opportunity Fund, are backing Chen’s election efforts.

“Jay Chen is a rising star in the Democratic Party and represents the next generation of leadership our country needs,” said Mineta. “His business background, service on his school board, and commitment to underrepresented communities make him the ideal choice for the 39th Congressional District. I am honored to join the growing list of residents, organizations and leaders who support Jay Chen.”

Mineta was only the fourth individual to serve as a Cabinet member under two presidents from different parties. He retired as the longest-serving secretary of transportation in U.S. history. During the 9/11 attacks, he ordered all civilian aircraft to be grounded. Later, when security at airports was tightened, he issued a letter forbidding airlines from practicing racial profiling.

Prior to joining the Cabinet as President Clinton’s secretary of commerce, Mineta represented Silicon Valley in the House of Representatives from 1975 to 1995. Prior to that, he served as mayor of San Jose.

“I am humbled to have the support of Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, whose leadership and vision has enabled and inspired so many others to take ownership of the political process,” said Chen. “His brand of smart, principled, bipartisanship is sorely lacking in Washington D.C., but I intend to bring it back to Congress.”

A graduate of Hacienda Heights public schools, Chen earned an NROTC scholarship to attend Harvard University and worked as a management consultant prior to starting his own small business. Fluent in Mandarin and Spanish, he was elected to his local school board in 2007 and has helped guide the district through consistent academic growth while preventing furloughs and layoffs to K-12 education. He serves on several local civic boards and is an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Read more here.