Prepared Remarks

Capt. William G. Schubert

Maritime Administrator

Introduction of Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta

Kings Point, New York

June 21, 2004

Good morning distinguished guests, Kings Pointers of the Class of 2004, and family members.

And thank you Vice Admiral Stewart for your superb leadership of the Academy.

I share a special bond with you, the graduates, since 30 years ago I walked through Vickery Gate and still recall the four rigorous years I spent in our Maritime Academy.

Before I reminisce any further, allow me to state that my graduation day was the second happiest day of my life. And you may ask why? Well, my wife Gail is in the audience, and of course the day we met was clearly the happiest day of my life—and hopefully hers!

You received an outstanding education here at Kings Point made possible by your faculty, and I know you also received the support of family and friends. I know I did. Someone sitting in the audience could testify to this fact—it is my father! I salute him and all the members of my family who stood by me throughout my years at the Academy.

So, let me wish you good luck and great success in the years ahead. And I am convinced that each of you is fully prepared for the maritime vocations you will be pursuing.

My sincere congratulations to each and every one of you.

Now I would like to introduce our commencement speaker the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta who was appointed in 2001 by President George W. Bush as our Secretary of Transportation.

Norman Mineta served for twenty years, from 1975 to 1995, as a United States Congressman representing California’s Silicon Valley. He’s been a member of City Council, a Mayor, and the first Asian-Pacific American to serve in the Cabinet of the President of the United States.

As our Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta oversees not only the Maritime Administration but an agency with 60,000 employees and a 56.3 billion budget. And while his responsibilities extend to land, air, and sea, I know from personal experience how strongly committed Norman Mineta is to the maritime industry and to our Academy.

I have come to appreciate first-hand his commitment to maritime issues. And that of course means more jobs and opportunities for every one of you.

Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me a distinct pleasure to introduce the Academy’s commencement speaker, Secretary Norman Mineta.