[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 128 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE PATSY T. 
           MINK, MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF HAWAII

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 2002

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to join with my 
colleagues in paying a richly deserved tribute to the memory of our 
esteemed and devoted colleague here in the Congress, Congresswoman 
Patsy Mink.
  The character of the life she lived could be summed up in just a few 
words: she was compassionate, dedicated, strong-spirited, a tireless 
worker, a real trailblazer, and an inspiring leader. Congresswoman Mink 
was self-sacrificing and sincerely devoted to her constituents and to 
this House.
  After becoming the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress in 
1964, Congresswoman Mink won a reputation for taking the lead on issues 
involving civil rights, education, the environment, poverty, as well as 
opposition to the Vietnam War. She was one of the first legislators to 
call for the impeachment of President Richard M. Nixon over Watergate, 
and her pioneering campaign for equality for women was credited with 
helping to make the issue a focal point of Democratic politics.
  Congresswoman Mink was extremely proud of the leading role she played 
in 1972 in the passage of Title IX of the Education Act which as a 
result opened many doors and provided opportunities for young women in 
athletics. More recently, she opposed the toughening of welfare laws 
signed by former President Bill Clinton.
  Mink has served in the U.S. Congress for 24 years. She was a ``voice 
for the voiceless'' and worked diligently for those who are oftentimes 
forgotten such as the poor and the disenfranchised.
  Congresswoman Mink was a petite woman with a big heart and great 
intellect. It was a privilege to serve with her in the House and 
observe as she combined charm with an unlimited energy and the highest 
integrity. Her leadership and passion for justice will be missed not 
only by those who served with her, but by her constituents which she 
proudly served.
  In closing and to sum up the impact which I believe Patsy Mink has 
had, I would like to paraphrase the words of Abraham Lincoln who stated 
in a memorable address: ``The world will little note, nor long remember 
what we say here, but can never forget what they did here.''
  My deepest condolences to her husband John and daughter Wendy, and to 
the constituents to the second district of Hawaii.

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