U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said his last in office will be Friday, July 7. Mineta’s letter of resignation to President Bush was made public late last week.

Mineta, a former California congressman and the only Democrat in Bush’s cabinet, has been engaged in transportation issues for four decades.
The 74-year-old secretary has suffered back problems in the past but has since recovered, according to wire reports.
In his letter to Bush, Mineta said “While there remains more to be done, I can assure you that the Department of Transportation is well positioned with highly competent and dedicated people … to fulfill the mission and you and Congress advance in the years ahead.”
In particular, Mineta praised Bush’s signing of SAFETEA-LU, the major reauthorization for a safe and expansive transportation system.
And, he wrote, “your administration announced a plan that will seriously reduce traffic congestion nationally and will improve the quality of life for all Americans while keeping our economy strong.”