[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19199]
[From the U.S. 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. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 2002

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in sadness at the passing of 
my colleague and friend Patsy Mink.

  But I also rise in great joy and gratitude as I reflect on the paths 
she cleared for so many people.

  Patsy Mink blazed trails for women and people of color. She was a 
stalwart progressive voice and aggressive leader on issues important to 
the American people.

  She is known all over this great country for her work on minority 
affairs and equal rights. Various groups have called her an 
inspirational role model for students and an ``American political 
trailblazer extraordinaire.'' The National Organization for Women 
called her a valiant champion.

  One of her greatest successes was the passage of Title IX, which she 
sponsored. Title IX literally leveled the playing field for women in 
academics and athletics, bringing countless women into athletics in 
high schools and colleges and universities, and helping to fuel the 
successes of many professional women's teams today.

  Patsy Mink's biggest fans were also her most important fans--the 
people she represented in Congress for 24 years, as well as the Hawaii 
Legislature and the Honolulu City Council, where she consistently 
advocated on behalf of and delivered for her constituents. This 
tireless work explains why her local papers described her as ``a true 
champion of the people.''

  While there are words in honor of her vibrant life in service to the 
American people, perhaps the most fitting tribute is to strive to 
capture her extraordinary spirit in this great House as we continue the 
critical work she devoted her life to achieving--expanding job and 
education opportunities for women, promoting peace in our troubled 
world, and fighting for social justice.

  My own special memory of Patsy was of the annual gift of chocolate 
covered macadamia nuts she gave Members of Congress from her native 
Hawaii. She was not only thoughtful, she was an all around class act.

  Mr. Speaker, we all came to Congress to help better the lives of 
people we represent. We fight hard everyday to achieve results that 
will improve the quality of life for people in our hometowns. But few 
can claim the results that Patsy Mink delivered for the people of 
Hawaii. She is an inspiration to all of us. While being a role model 
for so many young people in Hawaii and across the nation, she is also a 
role model for each of us.

  God bless her distinguished career in public service. And may God 
bless her family.