[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19385-19387]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PATSY T. MINK

  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 113) recognizing

[[Page 19386]]

the contributions of Patsy T. Mink, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 113

       Whereas Patsy Takemoto Mink was one of the country's 
     leading voices for women's rights, civil rights, and working 
     families and was devoted to raising living standards and 
     providing economic and educational opportunity to all 
     Americans;
       Whereas Patsy Takemoto Mink was a passionate and persistent 
     fighter against economic and social injustices in Hawaii and 
     across America;
       Whereas Patsy Takemoto Mink was one of the first women of 
     color to win national office in 1964 and opened doors of 
     opportunity to millions of women and people of color across 
     America;
       Whereas Patsy Takemoto Mink won unprecedented legislative 
     accomplishments on issues affecting women's health, children, 
     students, and working families; and
       Whereas Patsy Takemoto Mink's heroic, visionary, and 
     tireless leadership to win the landmark passage of title IX 
     of the Education Amendments of 1972 opened doors to women's 
     academic and athletic achievements and redefined what is 
     possible for a generation of women and for future generations 
     our Nation's daughters: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That title IX 
     of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.; 
     P.L. 92-318) may be cited as the ``Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal 
     Opportunity in Education Act''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Isakson) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson).


                             General Leave

  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on House Joint Resolution 113.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint Resolution 113 to 
recognize the many contributions of Patsy Mink. Patsy Mink provided a 
great service to Congress and the Nation as a whole; and she always 
represented her constituents with grace, commitment, and absolutely 
with determination. Patsy Mink was a trailblazer as the first woman of 
color to win national office. She was truly a person of honor. Patsy 
Mink stood by her word and did not step away from controversial or 
difficult issues. She never made decisions based on what was 
politically easy; she made decisions based on what was right. I am 
honored to have worked with her and to have had the opportunity to know 
the drive, dedication, and devotion to her home State and to her 
constituents. A tribute to our former colleague and the legacy she 
leaves behind is most appropriate. Patsy Mink's passing is a 
significant loss to all of us, and I offer my heartfelt condolences to 
her family and to her constituents.
  On a personal note, Mr. Speaker, I first met Patsy Mink 4 years ago 
when I was elected to the Congress of the United States. She had served 
many years before I came and her career before my election was far more 
important than any election of me. She had broken the glass ceiling for 
women in Hawaii. She had been an outspoken leader. Patsy and I were of 
a different sex, a different ethnicity, a different generation, and a 
different political party. But as goes so often unreported in this body 
but is so often reality, those of us regardless of our differences come 
together for what is right and what is best for the American people. It 
should not go unnoted on this evening that it was Patsy Mink as a 
member of the working group of H.R. 1, No Child Left Behind, who 
articulated and fought for her beliefs, found common ground, and 
allowed this Congress and this country to address the needs of 
America's most needy and deserving students.
  While it is easy for all of us to find fault from time to time about 
what we in this House have not done, we must always recognize that 
which on countless, thankless hours has been accomplished by dedicated 
leaders of commitment and perseverance. Patsy Mink was a lady. She was 
a friend, she was a Member of this Congress, and she will be missed.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H.J. Res. 113, which 
recognizes the many contributions that Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto 
Mink from Hawaii made to the people of this country, particularly to 
girls and women. That is why it is fitting that this resolution renames 
title IX of the Higher Education Act amendments of 1972 the Patsy 
Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act.
  In the early 1970's, Patsy played the key role in the enactment of 
title IX, which prohibits gender discrimination by federally funded 
institutions. When most people think of title IX, they think of women's 
sports, and the impact of title IX on women's sports can clearly be 
seen. In fact in 1972 scholarships for women's sports nationally added 
up to $100,000 and in 1987 the scholarships equaled over $200 million. 
Did she make a difference? Yes, she did. We can see the impact of title 
IX in the impressive accomplishments of American female athletes at the 
Olympics and when we turn on the TV to watch professional women's 
basketball or soccer, but we should not forget that title IX has also 
been a major tool for increasing women's participation in other aspects 
of education as well.
  As we stand here on the floor today, title IX ensures that girls have 
equal access to classes that lead to high-wage jobs so that women can 
support themselves and their families as well as their male 
counterparts. But title IX was only one of Patsy's contributions to 
girls and women of America. She also authored the Women's Educational 
Equity Act, known as WEEA, in 1974. WEEA remains the primary resource 
for teachers and parents seeking information on proven methods to 
ensure gender equity in schools and communities. WEEA represents the 
Federal commitment to ensuring that girls' future choices and successes 
are determined not by their gender but by their own interests, 
aspirations, and abilities.
  Mr. Speaker, there has been no stronger voice in Congress for girls 
and women and minorities than Patsy Takemoto Mink, and it will do 
Congress proud to remember her and honor her by passing H.J. Res. 113 
and renaming title IX The Patsy Takemoto Mink Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I would just close by acknowledging all of 
the accomplishments as were cited by the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Woolsey), and on behalf of all the colleagues in the Congress of 
the United States, our deep sympathy to the family of Patsy Mink and to 
the people of Hawaii, but the great joy all of us should have in 
recognizing her accomplishments on behalf of her State, on behalf of 
all women in America, and on behalf of this Congress. I urge all my 
colleagues to vote unanimously for this resolution commending a great 
woman and a great Member of Congress.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint Resolution 
113 to recognize the many contributions of Congresswoman Patsy Mink.
  As the Ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce 
Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness, Patsy Mink provided a 
great service to not only our subcommittee, but the Nation as a whole. 
Her commitment to our Nation's students and to her constituents never 
wavered and she always represented them with grace and determination.
  While I could talk about a great number of instances where my friend, 
Patsy Mink, and I worked hand and hand to improve academic achievement 
for our students, I want to take this moment to highlight an issue that 
we recently worked on that we both believed in--making postsecondary 
education better and more accessible for students and families. Last 
year, Patsy and I began the Fed Up initiative in an effort to 
streamline a number of burdensome regulations within the Higher 
Education Act. She worked with me from its

[[Page 19387]]

earliest stages, stood firm in her commitment to me about how the 
process would move forward, and during a difficult vote, she kept her 
word and voted in a way that forced her to step away from her own 
party's politics. She did this because she was a person of honor and 
did what was right, even when it was not easy.
  Patsy was a trailblazer as the first woman of color to win national 
office, taking on one of many challenges she would face. She never 
stepped away from controversial issues if she believed what she was 
doing was right.
  I am honored to have worked with Patsy on our subcommittee and to 
have had the opportunity to know her drive, dedication and devotion to 
her home State and her constituency.
  This tribute to our former colleague and the legacy she leaves behind 
is more than appropriate. Patsy's passing is a significant loss for all 
of us and I offer my heartfelt condolences to her family and her 
constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand with my colleagues in support of this resolution 
and appreciate the opportunity to express my thoughts and gratitude for 
Patsy Mink.
  Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint Resolution 
113 to honor and recognize the many contributions of Patsy Mink. I want 
to thank my friend and colleague from California, George Miller, for 
introducing this most appropriate resolution.
  We were all stunned and sadden by the news last week of the passing 
of our friend and colleague, Patsy Mink. As I have stated before, not 
only did we lose a passionate and committed member of this body; the 
State of Hawaii and the country as a whole lost a compelling and 
persuasive representative voice.
  Patsy Mink placed a great emphasis on service to her constituents and 
always stood firm in her beliefs. Patsy did this even when it wasn't 
the easy or politically popular thing to do. She had strong convictions 
by which she lived and worked. While we did not always agree, I know I, 
and the rest of us, are all better for having had the experience of 
working with her during her tenure in this House.
  In her role as ranking member on the subcommittee on 21st Century 
Competitiveness, Patsy Mink played an important role in passing the No 
Child Left Behind Act, and worked closely with Chairman McKeon on 
legislation reducing red tape and burdensome regulations in 
postsecondary education. With her passing, we will miss the opportunity 
to continue that partnership in working on these and other critical 
issues facing our nation.
  I will miss Patsy and her commitment to her State, her constituents 
and to the ideals of this body. I am grateful to have had the 
opportunity to work with her over these many years.
  This resolution is an appropriate tribute to our former colleague and 
the legacy she leaves behind. Patsy Mink's passing is a significant 
loss for all of us and I offer my sincere condolences to her family and 
her constituents.
  I know my colleagues will join me in support of this resolution, Mr. 
Speaker, as a means of collectively saying thank you and good-bye to a 
distinguished colleague and friend.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 113 in 
honor of our late colleague, Patsy Mink.
  I had the honor to serve with her on the House Government Reform 
Committee after she returned to Congress in 1990. I was particularly 
struck by her passionate defense of progressive democratic policies. 
For example, Patsy's commitment to such policies led her to actively 
oppose the '95 Welfare Reform Act because of its implications for many 
poor women and their children. Her opposition helped to limit some of 
the more draconian provisions in the final version of the bill that was 
enacted into law. Patsy could always be counted on to defend the 
interests of all poor and disadvantaged Americans. But she will always 
be remembered for her leadership in guaranteeing equal opportunities 
for women in education and athletics. One of the first women of color 
elected to the House of Representatives, Patsy was a trailblazer who 
will be sorely missed not only here in Congress but also in her home 
State of Hawaii. I am proud to have known and served with her.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong 
support for this resolution and to thank the leadership of the House 
for moving so expeditiously to bring it to the floor.
  I have had the honor to share the responsibility of representing 
Hawaii in the U.S. House of Representatives with Patsy Mink for the 
last 12 years. However, my first memories of her go back 40 years when 
I was a student at the University of Hawaii involved in one of her 
early campaigns. I admired her then and I hope through this resolution 
to secure for her an honored place in the history of this institution 
and this country.
  Throughout nearly 50 years of public service, Patsy Mink championed 
America's most deeply held values: equality, fairness, and above all 
honesty. Her courage, her willingness to speak out and champion causes 
that others might shun resulted in tremendous contributions in the 
fields of civil rights and education. Every single woman in this Nation 
who today has been given an equal opportunity in education, and by 
extension in virtually every other field of endeavor, owes the impetus 
to that in modern times to Patsy Mink. She was one of the pioneers who 
transformed Hawaii and transformed this Nation. Her legacy will live on 
in every campus in America and in the heart of every American woman who 
aspires to greatness. Most profoundly, it lives on in my estimation in 
hope; hope for the millions of lives that she touched.
  Someone will take Patsy Mink's place here in the House, that is the 
way of it in our democracy, but no one will replace her in the hearts 
of the people of Hawaii. No one will replace her in the role that she 
played in this House of Representatives. With the renaming of title IX 
as the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, Congress 
secures her memory as a heroic, visionary, and tireless leader of this 
great Nation.
  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, we have seen many Members of 
Congress pass through these halls. Many have done some great things 
but, in my opinion, very few have left this place being defined as one 
of the ``great ones.'' We have just lost one of the ``great ones'' with 
the passing of Patsy Mink.
  Legislating and getting things done here can be very frustrating. But 
I would advise that whenever we think frustration is getting the best 
of us, we need only remember what, in spite of adversity, Congresswoman 
Mink accomplished during her tenure because of her dedication, 
perseverance, and never ending fight for what she believed in.
  From her earliest days, she advocated for noble causes. When she was 
segregated into International Housing at the University of Nebraska, 
she sought to change discriminatory policies and succeeded.
  After receiving her law degree from the University of Chicago, she 
was in disbelief over the simple fact that her gender disqualified her 
from positions she applied for. Instead of accepting defeat, she opened 
her own practice and became the first Asian-American woman lawyer in 
Hawaii.
  In her first run for the U.S. Congress in 1959, her defeat to Daniel 
Inouye didn't deter her from running again. In 1964 she ran for U.S. 
Congress again and won, making her the first woman of color to be 
elected to Congress.
  Most significantly over 2.7 million young women participate in high 
school athletics compared to just under 300,000 in 1971. This is 
because of the key role Congresswoman Mink played in the enactment of 
title IX. Title IX bans gender discrimination in schools that receive 
federal funding. Young women can now look to the memory of Patsy Mink 
to thank for the chance to participate in school athletics.
  The passing of one of the ``greats'' leaves a major void in not only 
Congress itself but also in each one of us. We need move on from this 
day forward with as much heart and devotion as Congresswoman Mink did 
every day of her life.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 113, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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