[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CONGRESSMAN MARK TAKAI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2016

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Congressman 
Mark Takai, a friend and colleague who was taken from this institution 
far too early. Mark worked until his last days to represent the 
constituents of Hawaii's First Congressional District. Congress and the 
American people will dearly miss his relentlessness to better his state 
and country.
  As a dedicated member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and 
from his seats on the House Armed Services and Small Business 
Committees, Mark saw it as a personal duty to speak up for those who 
had no voice. Mark was instrumental in efforts to award a Congressional 
Gold Medal to the Foot Soldiers who participated in the Selma to 
Montgomery Voting Rights March of 1965 and Purple Hearts to Filipino 
veterans of World War II. He also gathered over one hundred Members of 
Congress from both sides of the aisle to support a measure to provide 
benefits to veterans exposed to radioactive fallout while serving in 
the Marshall Islands during the late 1970s. Even though the distance 
was great between Capitol Hill and Honolulu, Mark was determined to use 
any opportunity he could, including a short weekend between first and 
last votes in Washington, to spend time with his family and serve his 
constituents.
  The House Democratic Caucus has lost an incredible champion and 
friend in Mark Takai, and we are deeply saddened by a sudden end to a 
young life cut short. May Mark's lovely wife, Sami, his two beautiful 
children, Matthew and Kaila, and the incredible people of the State of 
Hawaii find peace and comfort in the days ahead.

                          ____________________