Words from Norm Mineta

Former Rep. Norm Mineta, D-Calif.

"When we think about where we are compared to where we were 20, 30 years ago. It’s big."

"All of us have mentors and so that’s what our job is. That’s our responsibility. "

"When each of us go up that ladder of success, we reach down and help others go up that ladder of success … if we don’t do that, we’re not leaders."

"Many people say that the United States is a melting pot. ... I think of this country as tapestry. We have yarn of different colors. Each of those yarns are vibrant ... each of them is strong, they bring their art, religion, language. ... They don't lose their identity. Woven together, they make for a strong whole."

"It's not an easy struggle. Two steps forward, one step back ... but we have to persevere."

Mineta said that he is going to the University of Washington tomorrow to be the commencement speaker for the Japanese Americans who didn't get their diplomas because they were interned in WWII.