[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE LIFE OF PATRICK OKURA

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, Patrick Okura was an extraordinary man who 
contributed much to our Nation, the Asian American community, and the 
fields of mental health and psychology. I was privileged to have him as 
a great friend and mentor. During my life in the Nation's Capital, Pat 
was always ready to help and advise me.
  At Pat's memorial service on February 11, 2005, at Bradley Hills 
Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, MD, the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, 
U.S. Secretary of Transportation, spoke of Pat and his remarkable life 
that had an enormous and positive impact on many.
  I ask unanimous consent that Secretary Mineta's remarks be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:
       We are here today to celebrate the life of an extraordinary 
     man one of the great leaders of our community, of our great 
     nation, and a valued and trusted friend.
       It is almost impossible to count the number of 
     contributions that Kiyoshi Patrick Okura made to all of us.
       His national presidency of the Japanese American Citizens 
     League came during one of the most critical periods of the 
     civil rights movement, and his active involvement in the JACL 
     throughout its history helped win unprecedented victories for 
     our community.
       His advocacy on behalf of mental health was a passion that 
     continued through his service as the staff psychologist for 
     Father Flanagan's Boy's Town, his work at the National 
     Institute of Mental Health, his founding of the National 
     Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse, and 
     the work that he and Lily have done together at the Okura 
     Mental Health Foundation.
       But most important of all, Pat had a passion to help others 
     whether through his profession as a psychologist or through 
     his endless personal drive to develop leaders for our 
     community.
       As a mentor, a friend, a guide and a counselor, he was 
     second to none. I had the good fortune of knowing Pat for 
     over 50 years and he was all of those things to me throughout 
     my life and career.
       There are so many of us here today who would not have 
     achieved the successes we have without the foundation of 
     opportunity that he laid for all of us, or without the 
     support and the encouragement that he provided every day.
       Lily, Deni's heart and my heart go out to you today. Pat's 
     loss is a bitter blow to all of us.
       But his life, and the things he achieved for all of us, 
     will live forever as a testament to a life well-lived.''

     

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