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SAN JOSE — The lyrical pop-song question “Do You Know the Way To San Jose,” may soon have a new answer — the Norman Y. Mineta Airport. 

San Jose City Council members voted unanimously on Tuesday to name the city’s international airport after U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta, who also served as mayor of San Jose from 1971 to 1974. 

Mineta was the first Asian American to serve on the U.S. cabinet when he was named secretary of commerce by President Bill Clinton. 

“Norm Mineta has provided exemplary service to San Jose, and this (dedication) is to respect his many years of work for the city,” said David Vossprink, of the San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales’ office. “As a Japanese-American, he has broken many race barriers at every level of public office he has held.” 

Vossprink added that Mineta has a strong interest in aviation and has several years of experience as a pilot. 

Gonzales announced the name proposal two weeks ago, when Mineta was visiting San Jose International Airport for a runway dedication. The city council’s staff will take over procedures regarding the renaming with the Federal Aviation Administration and the San Jose Airport Commission. That process could take about a month, Vossprink said. 

The city council will take a final vote to grant approval for the change.