[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 131 (Tuesday, October 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1796]
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, A MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF HAWAII

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                               speech of

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 2002

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for this opportunity to 
remember and pay tribute to our dear departed colleague, Patsy Mink of 
Hawaii. I am deeply saddened by her passing, Patsy Mink was a wonderful 
woman and a great leader for her constituents of Hawaii and for our 
Nation.
  I had the honor and privilege of serving on the Government Reform 
Committee with Congresswoman Mink. During my short tenure on the 
committee, Patsy Mink's passion and her belief in her work was evident 
and could be felt by all that knew her.
  Mr. Speaker, Patsy Mink will always be remembered for her legislative 
achievements. Her ability to build coalitions for progressive 
legislation led to the first comprehensive Early Childhood Education 
Act and authored the Women's Educational Equity Act.
  Her constituents benefited from her dedication to equality for women 
and she played a key role in the enactment of Title IX of the Higher 
Education Act Amendments, which prohibited gender discrimination by 
federally funded institutions. This legislation has become the major 
tool for women's fuller participation not only in sports, but also in 
all aspects of education.
  Most significantly, I have admired Patsy Mink for her tireless 
commitment to the people of the second district of Hawaii. While this 
tribute cannot begin to communicate her greatness as a leader and 
friend, I can say that this body has been made better by her presence 
and is truly diminished in her absence. She was a role model, and 
always led by example.
  Mr. Speaker, when you come to Congress, you look to certain people 
that set the framework on how you should act and how you should conduct 
yourself. You cannot find a better example of that than Patsy Mink. I 
consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to know and work 
with her. Congresswoman Mink's mark on this institution has been left, 
and she will never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
memory and celebrating the accomplishments of Congresswoman Patsy Mink.

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