Editor's Note: National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President James K. Coyne issued the following statement Friday afternoon regarding the resignation of Norman Y. Mineta as Secretary of the US Department of Transportation:

"Today I was deeply saddened to learn of Secretary Mineta’s resignation. First as a Member of Congress and later as Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta has recognized the need to invest in our nation’s transportation infrastructure and has served as an outstanding advocate for such investment within President Bush’s Cabinet.

"Secretary Mineta's leadership and commitment to aviation safety has resulted in some of the lowest accident rates in aviation history.

"Working with leaders in both political parties, Secretary Mineta successfully made transportation policy a top priority in Congress among both Republicans and Democrats. Throughout his career in Congress and in the administrations of two Presidents, there has been no greater friend to transportation than Norman Mineta.

"Norman Mineta's devotion to his country is storied with his service as a Member of the US House of Representatives, Secretary of Commerce and finally as Secretary of Transportation. NATA and its members thank Secretary Mineta for his years of dedication to the aviation industry and wish him and his family the very best in the future."

FMI: www.nata.org