DOT Secretary Norman Mineta to Step Down in July

June 23, 2006 4:30 PM, EDT

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epartment of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has submitted a letter of resignation and will step down from his post July 7, DOT said Friday.

Mineta submitted his resignation in a letter dated June 20 to President Bush, in which he said working on transportation issues had been "rewarding and gratifying."

Mineta, a former 10-term California congressman, is the only Democrat in Bush’s cabinet. He had been in the position since the Bush administration took office in January 2001.

Mineta, 74, was plagued with back problems during his tenure and spent months working from home and the hospital, but since recovered, the Associated Press reported.

DOT includes several key agencies that regulate trucking and road issues, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.