On Friday, June 23, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a letter from Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta addressed to President Bush in which the secretary announced his intent to resign effective July 7.

The letter does not give a specific reason for Mineta’s resignation, other than to say &quotit is time for me to move on to other challenges.&quot As the only Democrat in Bush’s cabinet, Mineta thanked the President for crossing party lines. &quotWorking with you has been particularly rewarding and most gratifying, especially since I have been able to do so with your full support and confidence,&quot he stated in the letter.

Before he joined President Bush’s administration, Mineta, 74, served as secretary of commerce under President Clinton.