[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 14279-14287]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                PATSY TAKEMOTO MINK POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 2030) to designate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 120 Baldwin Avenue in Paia, Maui, Hawaii, as 
the ``Patsy Takemoto Mink Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2030

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. PATSY TAKEMOTO MINK POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 120 Baldwin Avenue in Paia, Maui, Hawaii, 
     shall be known and designated as the ``Patsy Takemoto Mink 
     Post Office Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the Patsy Takemoto Mink Post Office Building.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).


                             General Leave

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within

[[Page 14280]]

which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 2030.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be part of the consideration of H.R. 2030, 
a bill introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. 
Case), that designates the postal facility in Paia, Maui, Hawaii, as 
the Patsy Takemoto Mink Post Office Building.
  Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Patsy Mink was a devoted public servant 
and a friend to all who served here in the House. She was a passionate 
representative for her Hawaiian constituents for 26 years, despite 
having to make the 10-hour flight home almost every weekend. For that 
alone, she deserves commendation.
  Congresswoman Mink was a particular advocate of health, education, 
and civil rights issues during her tenure in the House; but her career 
was perhaps best known for her tireless work for gender equality. 
Congresswoman Mink authored the Women's Education Equity Act, and she 
was a coauthor of the original title IX legislation. She was an 
esteemed member of the Committee on Government Reform, the committee 
that just last month passed by voice vote this bill that honors her. I 
am pleased that this bill has now come up for consideration by the 
whole House.
  Congresswoman Patsy Mink sadly passed away last September 28 during 
her 13th congressional term. Patsy Mink won her first election to the 
House in 1964 and only two current Members of this body were first 
elected earlier. A long congressional career never took the spring out 
of her exuberant step or the warmth from her caring heart; and even 
after her passing, her remarkable service in this House for the people 
of Hawaii and this entire Nation will certainly never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 2030 
that honors the life and career of Congresswoman Patsy Mink. I 
congratulate my colleague, the gentleman from Hawaii, for introducing 
this meaningful and important legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, 
I am pleased to join my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Ros-Lehtinen), in consideration of H.R. 2030, which names a postal 
facility after the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink.
  H.R. 2030, which was introduced by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. 
Case) on May 8, 2003, has met the committee policy and has been 
cosponsored by more than just the State delegation. The bill currently 
lists 115 cosponsors, truly a testament to the accomplishments of our 
late colleague, the Honorable Patsy Mink, who sadly passed away on 
September 28, 2002.
  Congresswoman Mink was first elected to Congress in 1964 and served 
until 1976. She took a 14-year hiatus from national politics and 
returned to her congressional seat in 1990, where she remained unto her 
death in 2002.
  Congresswoman Mink served on the Committee on Government Reform for a 
year in 1991 before being assigned to the House Committee on the 
Budget. She returned to our committee in 1999 where she served until 
her death last year. As a distinguished member of the Committee on 
Government Reform, Congresswoman Mink was committed to writing 
important legislation, such as the bill that would increase the 
mandatory retirement age of law enforcement officials.
  As a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, 
Congresswoman Mink fought hard for the rights of women and children. 
She co-sponsored title IX, the Early Childhood Education Act and the 
Women's Educational Equity Act.
  During her last few years in Congress, Congresswoman Mink continued 
to work on such important issues as immigration, Social Security, and 
health care. Throughout her brilliant career, the Congresswoman 
provided the strong voice to those who needed one. Her accomplishments 
will continue to benefit Americans for generations to come. It is only 
fitting that we share our gratitude by honoring her in this manner.
  I would also urge my colleagues to remember our late colleague as a 
fighter for children and the working class. I note she would have 
joined us in our push to bring the child tax credit bill to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague, the gentleman from 
Hawaii (Mr. Case), for honoring Patsy Mink with the postal designation. 
I would also like to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), 
the chairman, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the 
ranking member, for moving this bill to the House floor and Anne 
Stewart of the gentleman from Hawaii's (Mr. Case) staff for her hard 
work.
  I urge swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this 
moment. Therefore, I will reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), the author of this legislation.
  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I thank both of my colleagues for their very 
fine comments.
  Mr. Speaker, just 9 months ago, in the middle of her campaign for a 
13th House term, a campaign which she most certainly would have won 
resoundingly and, in fact, did win posthumously, the late United States 
Representative Patsy Takemoto Mink was tragically lost to her beloved 
Hawaii, this Congress, our country, and our world.
  The days, weeks, and months that followed witnessed a massive 
outpouring of first shock and disbelief, then sorrow and regret and, 
finally, remembrance and gratitude for this singular life.
  As just a few representative examples, we had a deeply moving 
memorial service in the U.S. Capitol here as well as in the Hawaii 
State capitol back in Hawaii attended by many of our colleagues here.
  This House published a beautiful memorial volume that memorialized 
the many eulogies given to Mrs. Mink on this floor and a volume for 
which I want to relay the deep gratitude of the Mink family, husband 
John, daughter Wendy, brother Eugene.
  The students at the University of Hawaii Law School Richardson School 
of Law, on their own initiative, created and funded the Patsy Mink 
Memorial Fellowship for the purpose of providing an internship here in 
the U.S. Congress each year to a person in Mrs. Mink's liking.

                              {time}  1415

  I am very proud to say the first Mink fellow, Van Luong, joined my 
office last week, and she reminds me a lot of Mrs. Mink.
  There also were and continue to be a multitude of testimonials on her 
lasting legislative accomplishments, and I want to leave to the 
colleagues that come after me to document those one more time because 
they know better than I do what she accomplished here.
  But maybe what struck me the most, when I went out to campaign to 
take over the representation that she had so well provided to the 
Second Congressional District in what is still to this day referred to 
as Patsy Mink's seat, the testimonies from the ordinary people, the 
people that she touched during her life, the people that she 
represented, like the longtime friend in Lihue who was sick and who 
Patsy visited in the hospital just 2 days before she went into the 
hospital herself; like the taro farmers in Kipahulu on Maui, they 
wanted to show her their lo'i, and the only way for her to do that was 
to put on boots and walk out there in a very remote part of our 
district, and she did that. And the pig hunter in Waimen on the Big 
Island; he had an

[[Page 14281]]

issue, and the only way to show her what that issue was was to take her 
into the forest where he lived. She went.
  These testimonials are the testimonies that really count, but they 
can really only give testament to the fact that her remembrances are 
her best legacy. But it is entirely appropriate that we honor her with 
a more tangible reminder that will serve as a constant physical 
remembrance of her and cause us to reflect on what she stood for.
  So as I talked about this with John Mink after my election, he 
relayed his wish, later endorsed by others such as the Maui County 
Council, that the U.S. Post Office at Paia be renamed the Patsy 
Takemoto Mink Post Office. I want to tell Members about Paia very 
briefly. Paia is on the north shore of Maui on the slopes of Haleakala. 
Near Paia, only about a mile away, is a town called Hamakuapoko. It 
used to be a thriving plantation village. It is not quite that anymore, 
a time when sugar and pine were prevalent, and this is where Patsy 
Takemoto Mink was born in 1927 and was raised in all of the good and 
not so good of Hawaii in the 1930s and the 1940s, the community where 
the old Maui High School is located where Mrs. Mink's political career 
began when she ran successfully for student body president, the first 
woman to accomplish that position, the first of many firsts along those 
lines.
  In short, this is where she came from, where her values were forged, 
where her spirit was lit, and it represents the people's traditions and 
beliefs that she never forgot. This is a fitting memorial for Patsy 
Takemoto Mink, and I urge my colleagues' full support, and I thank them 
for further consideration of a great Hawaiian and a great American.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney).
  Mr. TIERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud cosponsor of this legislation 
here today, a bill to commemorate the remarkable life and tremendous 
achievements of a woman who served with great distinction in the House 
of Representatives. To Patsy's friends, to her husband John, her 
daughter Wendy, and her brother Eugene, I offer my condolences as we 
remember her today.
  Over the past few months, we have all missed the presence of her in 
our lives, and we know if she was still with us today, Patsy would be 
fighting for the rights of women and girls through Title 9, and 
fighting to see that this country lives up to its responsibilities to 
provide economic opportunity for all Americans, and she would be 
promoting democratic values and human rights and international 
cooperation abroad in Iraq and throughout the world.
  She leaves a powerful legacy, and I will leave it to others to go on, 
item by item, but we know she broke down many, many barriers, first for 
herself and then for others. She left a legacy for millions of working 
families that she helped lift out of poverty with education and job 
training programs, ranging from the war on poverty to welfare reform. 
And she helped a whole generation of female student athletes for whom 
she drafted and implemented title IX.
  I was proud to serve with Patsy on both the Committee on Education 
and the Workforce and on the Committee on Government Reform where she 
gave voice to the voiceless every day that she served. Patsy provided 
vision, courage and leadership, speaking out on all of the vital issues 
of the day and inspiring those of us who served with her with her fiery 
oration and a mastery of education, economic, and labor issues.
  Mr. Speaker, she mixed her persuasive powers with the chocolate 
macadamia nuts that she used to pass out to all. Her memory will long 
remain here and in Hawaii for another generation of young women and 
Americans for the work she did.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of 
H.R. 2030, the legislation to designate a Post Office in Hawaii for 
Patsy Mink. I know I am not alone in support of honoring our dear 
friend and former colleague, Congresswoman Patsy Mink.
  Mr. Speaker, Patsy Mink fought tirelessly during her career for 
improved education. Ms. Mink's coalition-building ability for 
progressive legislation continued during her tenure in Congress. She 
introduced the first comprehensive Early Childhood Education Act and 
authored the Women's Educational Equity Act. Patsy was knowledgeable 
and courageous and she was committed to people. I am certainly proud to 
have had the opportunity to serve with her and learn from her example. 
I miss her, and the people of Hawaii miss her, and her colleagues 
fondly remember her commitment and devotion to public service.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2030, legislation to designate 
a post office in Hawaii as the Pasty Mink Post Office Building. I know 
I am not alone in support of honoring our dear friend and former 
colleague, Congresswoman Patsy Mink.
  Throughout her career, Patsy Mink was a trailblazer among Asian-
American women. Born in Maui in December of 1928, she was encouraged to 
excel in the world of academia. Her life was a continuous breaking down 
of barriers: the first woman to be elected to the Territorial House, 
the first Asian-American woman to practice law in Hawaii, and the first 
woman of color elected to Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, there was no hurdle our dear friend Patsy could not 
overcome. After obtaining her law degree from the University of Chicago 
in 1951, she decided to open her own law practice when no one was 
willing to hire her. During this time, getting a job in the legal field 
for women was very difficult. She seamlessly combined her work, 
marriage, and life as a new mother.
  In 1965, Patsy Mink was elected to Congress and began the first of 
six consecutive terms in the House of Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, Patsy fought tirelessly during her career for improved 
education. Mink's coalition-building ability for progressive 
legislation continued during her tenure in Congress. She introduced the 
first comprehensive Early Childhood Education Act and authored the 
Women's Educational Equity Act.
  Patsy Mink was a trailblazer and fighter for her constituents in 
Hawaii, as well as the rest of the nation. She was a solid supporter of 
the Congressional Black Caucus and for that I am grateful. As a 
disciplined and focused advocate for the voiceless, she will be forever 
etched in our hearts and commitment to this body.
  Patsy was a knowledgeable, courageous women--committed to people. I 
am certainly proud to have had the opportunity to serve with her and 
learn from her example. I will miss her, and the people of Hawaii will 
miss her and her colleagues will fondly remember her commitment, 
determination, and devotion to public service.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson).
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2030 
that will designate the Patsy Takemoto Mink Post Office Building in 
Hawaii. I want to thank the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) for 
introducing this bill so we may once again pay tribute to an 
outstanding United States Congresswoman.
  I was deeply saddened by the passing of Patsy Mink last year. Working 
with Patsy has been one of the highlights of my short time in Congress. 
As the first minority woman elected to Congress, Patsy Mink has always 
been an inspiration to me as an elected official. I learned firsthand 
the remarkable work Patsy was doing 30 years ago when title IX was 
passed, and as a member of the Los Angeles Unified School Board at the 
time, I was charged with implementing a title IX plan for the Los 
Angeles Community College system.
  Ever since then, I followed Patsy Mink's public service career 
closely, including her tireless fight on behalf of the Economic Justice 
and Civil Rights for All. During the 107th Congress, I had the 
opportunity to work with Patsy in putting together a comprehensive 
welfare reform program. I was able to spend quality time with her 
during a trip to Sacramento to collect data on our welfare reform 
program we had written in California. During the process of putting her 
legislation together, Patsy never backed down and never compromised on 
protecting and addressing the needs. Although our efforts were 
unsuccessful, it was a great

[[Page 14282]]

honor to work with a true champion for American values and ideas. Thank 
you, Patsy, for all you have done for all of us.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie).
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, it is kind of an amazing thing that all 
of us are coming down to the floor with 1 minute or 2 minutes to try to 
summarize our feelings about Patsy. I could not possibly even begin to 
do that. Forty-three years of my life was involved with Patsy when I 
was a student and supporter of hers, and then as a colleague. To say 
that the people coming down to this floor loved Patsy, admired her and 
respected her, hardly does justice to those words.
  There will never, ever be another person on this floor like Patsy 
Mink. When the history of the House of Representatives is written, she 
will be in the pantheon of heroes, those who exemplify the People's 
House. If there was ever anyone who embodied what it was that made this 
country great, someone who came from immigrant circumstances to the 
highest echelons of government, and never forgot where she came from 
and who she was and what and who she represented, it was Patsy Mink.
  She was more than a friend and more than a colleague. She was a 
beacon to all of us who serve here hope to be. We all take our oath of 
office here to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, 
and we are only here because of the faith and trust of the people in 
our districts. Never, ever, has anyone upheld better that faith and 
trust that our constituents have given to us than Patsy Mink. Patsy, 
you live with us and you live in this House, the people's House, 
forever.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) for yielding me this time, and I thank the 
gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) for the generosity and attitude that 
you have brought to this House following such a giant legacy, and of 
course to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) who has always 
been a champion on the issues of social justice, alongside his very 
dear friend, Patsy Mink.
  We have been honored by allowing us to have an opportunity to say a 
few words again about the Honorable Congresswoman Patsy Mink. We were 
honored to have shared in her home-going service in Hawaii, getting to 
see her family members and all of her friends. But more importantly, 
you have given us an opportunity once again to tell America what a 
champion, what a hero, what an enormous giant of a woman, the first 
minority woman who served in the United States Congress.
  I close simply by saying this is the appropriate honoring. I hope we 
will honor her more, not only with Post Office buildings, but with 
legislation commemorating her valiant service. Finally, we would not be 
here, equal as women and equal as athletes in performance, if it had 
not been for Patsy Mink, title IX, her love of women's causes and her 
love of education. This is an appropriate tribute.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2030 to pay tribute to a great 
colleague and personal friend, the Honorable Patsy Takamoto Mink. 
Congresswoman Mink passed away on September 28, 2002, after serving 12 
terms in the House of Representatives. She was posthumously re-elected 
in November 2002 for a thirteenth.
  Congresswoman Mink was a remarkable woman in this chamber and 
throughout her life. Her interest and activism in politics started 
early, at the University of Nebraska, where she fought and won a battle 
against race segregated student housing. After gender discrimination 
kept her from prestigious medical schools, she was accepted to the 
University of Chicago Law School. Congresswoman Mink joined the NAACP 
in the early days of the civil rights movements in the 1960s. She was 
one of the few Asian American members of the organization. Then, in 
1965, Hawaii elected her the first woman of color in Congress.
  Congresswoman Mink was an outspoken advocate for women, children, 
laborers, minorities and the poor. Her visions of bettering this 
country lead to legislation supporting early childhood education and 
family medical leave. She also authored and ardently supported the 
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) bill that provided 
special protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual 
assault.
  One of Congresswoman Mink's most significant actions in this House 
was her role as co-author of the Title IX legislation, prohibiting 
gender discrimination. Title IX requires equal support for men and 
women in academics and athletics at any institution receiving federal 
money. This legislation has affected every school and college campus 
across the country for the better.
  Recently, the Administration has threatened to dismantle Title IX and 
the progress that has been made to create equal opportunities for women 
and girls. We have come too far in the struggle for fairness to turn 
back now. Congresswoman Mink not only helped to create the Title IX 
legislation but she fought to maintain it. Consequently, after her 
death, Title IX was renamed the ``Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in 
Education Act.''
  Congresswoman Mink was a fighter. She knew what it was to knock down 
doors and worked to keep them open for the women who would follow her. 
She changed the course of history and caused transformation in the 
lives of millions of men and women, boys and girls. For that reason, it 
is my privilege to stand in support of this bill to name a post office 
in her honor.
  Many of us have witnessed Congresswoman Mink's fiery style, 
particularly when she spoke out about social causes. Patsy Mink wanted 
to see society become more equitable. She worked tirelessly to promote 
policies that truly addressed the realities of poverty and to promote 
education that would allow individuals to attain self-sufficiency.
  Without question, she was an effective leader. In 1992, McCall's 
magazine named Congresswoman Mink one of the 10 best legislators in 
Congress. Recently, in 2002, the National Organization for Women (NOW) 
named her a ``Woman of Vision.''
  I wish Congresswoman Mink were here with us today, still leading the 
crusade to help children and the working poor. She would not stand idly 
by while those on the other side of the aisle exclude millions of low-
income families from the Child Tax credit while giving away tax 
benefits to the wealthy. In this chamber, we could only benefit from 
her wisdom and her voice on this issue, to protect the real interests 
of all Americans, and not simply the wealthy elite.
  Congresswoman Patsy Mink is dearly missed, not only as a 
Congresswoman and friend, but also as a tireless advocate for positive 
change in this country. We must not lose sight of her vision to promote 
equity among the differing segments of society.
  I support H.R. 2030 to honor Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink. I 
will work to continue her legacy. I will start now, by working to 
prevent the Administration from trying to pry open the gaps in equity 
that Congresswoman Mink worked so tirelessly to close.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2030 
authored by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) honoring the late 
Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink and naming the Post Office in Maui 
for her.

                              {time}  1430

  My association with, and admiration for, Patsy Mink goes back many 
years to the time that her husband, John, had done some work on Guam. 
Those of us living in the Pacific islands heard many stories of the 
legendary Patsy Mink, and it was my good fortune to know her as a 
friend and a role model. She blazed trails as a woman leader and 
Pacific Islander that we have eagerly followed and showed us that women 
can make a huge difference for children and families in our islands. 
She endorsed my candidacy for Congress just before the November 
election, 2002. Guam will always remember Congresswoman Patsy Mink, and 
we will always be grateful for all the causes that she championed on 
our behalf.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in honoring her for her service and 
for being a true inspiration for women throughout the Pacific.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for 
yielding me this time and thank the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) 
for offering this important and very well-deserved tribute.

[[Page 14283]]

  Patsy Mink was a friend of mine. We worked on many projects together 
long before I was ever elected to the Congress of the United States. 
Mr. Speaker, our dear departed friend and colleague, Patsy Mink, was a 
giant. No one among our elected officials stood taller in addressing 
the needs of the poor, the disenfranchised, and the workers of this 
country than Patsy Mink.
  As the first minority woman elected to the Congress and the first 
Japanese-American woman admitted to the bar in Hawaii, Patsy was a 
pioneer who shattered the glass ceiling, a trailblazer who cleared the 
path for women and minorities to take their rightful place in all 
aspects of public life.
  As always, had she been here with us, Patsy would be leading the 
fight to restore the child tax credit for low-income working Americans 
and to reorient our priorities to protecting the vulnerable, not 
rewarding the privileged. We Democrats will fight this battle for a 
child tax credit for low-income working Americans and their children in 
Patsy's memory and we will not rest until it is won.
  While she probably would have been embarrassed by the attention, it 
is wonderful that this House will take time to honor Congresswoman Mink 
and her constituents by renaming the post office for her.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 
1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here and recognize the 
many contributions that Patsy Takemoto Mink made to the people of this 
country, particularly to the girls and women of this country. And I am 
equally proud that she will be honored by a post office in her home 
State named after Patsy Mink. I was privileged to serve with Patsy on 
the House Committee on Education and the Workforce from the beginning 
of my tenure in 1992. She was my mentor and my friend, and I miss her 
every day.
  Besides being the first woman of color to serve in the House of 
Representatives, Patsy Takemoto Mink helped craft landmark legislation 
for girls and women across the country during her 24 years in Congress. 
In the early seventies, Patsy played the central congressional role in 
the enactment of title IX, prohibiting gender discrimination by 
federally funded institutions.
  But title IX was not Patsy's only contribution to girls and women of 
America. Patsy also authored the Women's Educational Equity Act, WEEA. 
WEEA remains the primary resource for teachers and parents seeking 
information on proven methods to ensure gender equity in their schools 
and their communities. In fact, while this Congress is reauthorizing 
Head Start, I can hear Patsy's passionate and intelligent voice 
demanding that we not decimate this successful program by block 
granting any or all of it to the States. Her voice is missed. I hear it 
in my ears. I hope the people on the other side of the aisle can hear 
it in their ears so that we will do the right thing.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis).
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today also to join with my colleagues 
in celebrating Patsy Mink. We are going to honor her by naming a post 
office after her, but she deserves so much more. She was a wonderful 
human being whom I had a chance to know in my first term here in 
Congress. She was a warrior, a warrior in the sense that she fought for 
those who were voiceless. She was a champion for women's rights, 
equality, civil rights and environmental justice, someone whom I 
believe will always be remembered in the halls here of Congress. She 
was a role model not only to women of color but also to the many, many 
young women who were striving for equality in the sports field, to even 
the playing field. Today with much honor, I wear a symbol of shattering 
the glass ceiling. This pin that I am wearing, this brooch, symbolizes 
women breaking through and challenging and shattering the glass 
ceiling. Patsy Mink was one of those warriors, someone who was always 
constantly testing our tenacity, encouraging us as women and new 
Members here in the House to step forward. She was tremendous in the 
arguments and debates that occurred on welfare reform. Even though we 
did not get what we wanted, she was there.
  I commend the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) and the gentleman from 
Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie), who are paying tribute to her. She is a 
wonderful individual. I would ask our colleagues to support this 
measure.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1 
minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), the first African 
American woman on the Committee on Ways and Means.
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I am so pleased to 
have an opportunity to join with my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to celebrate Congresswoman Patsy Mink. As a trial lawyer, I used 
to litigate equal employment opportunity cases. One of the cases I had 
involved a school system wherein the women coaches were claiming that 
they were not paid the same amount of money as male coaches for doing 
lots of work. I remember doing some research and learning about Patsy 
Mink. Little did I know that I would ever have the opportunity to serve 
in the House of Representatives with such a great woman.
  Patsy, I want you to know that I am keeping the faith and working on 
your behalf and working to keep your name in high regard. I hosted 
previously the NCAA women's volleyball championships in the city of 
Cleveland back in 1998; but I want you to know that in 2006, your 
girlfriend will be hosting the NCAA women's basketball finals in the 
city of Cleveland. I am going to do it in your name and in your 
support. Thank you, Patsy, for all you do.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time 
I have left.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan). The gentleman from Illinois has 
1 minute remaining.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the 
gentlewoman from Florida if we might be able to use some of the time on 
her side.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would be glad to yield 10 minutes to 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
Illinois will control an additional 10 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, we have heard speaker after speaker take to the floor 
and talk about the virtues and attributes of Patsy Mink. To a person, 
they have all talked about how fiery, how dynamic, how pointed and how 
relevant she was and how much she meant to this institution.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank the distinguished gentleman from Illinois for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1 minute I cannot possibly do justice to our dear 
colleague and friend, Patsy Mink. But the other day in Ohio I had an 
experience; and I said, Patsy, if your amendment had passed, we would 
not be in this situation where we have hundreds, indeed thousands, of 
students lined up in our community awaiting admission to nursing school 
and they cannot be admitted because the Workforce Investment Act does 
not allow the funds to be used for education for career training, only 
for storage of people at bottom feeder jobs in this economy. I thought, 
Patsy, if your amendment had passed, thousands and thousands and 
thousands of people across this country who are in the unemployment 
lines, who are unable to advance their careers, would already be in the 
workforce. I thought, I miss you so much. You tried so hard.
  What a great woman. She accomplished so much--Title IX, her 
leadership here on education issues, the first woman of color ever 
elected to the Congress of the United States. What an incisive 
intellect, what an intelligent and persevering woman and someone

[[Page 14284]]

who made a difference in the lives of people across this country. It is 
my deepest, deepest privilege to say I support the proposal to name the 
post office in Hawaii in her name. She is missed every day here. We 
thank her, and we thank her family for her devoted service to our 
country.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) for some further reflections.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I indicated in my previous remarks that 
we were limited in our opportunities to be able to speak about Patsy 
and I thought perhaps that it might offer an opportunity had we been 
able to extend our time, and I want to say how much we appreciate that 
we have had this opportunity to have a few more minutes to do it.
  Not everyone may recognize the side of Patsy that was so familiar to 
us in Hawaii, because obviously we saw her as the dynamo of legislative 
activity here in Washington. But I think perhaps not everyone 
recognized or understood until they came to Hawaii and had the 
opportunity to see from whence Hawaii Patsy came as to what molded her 
as a person.
  For the young people that are here today observing the remarks here 
on the floor, they may not fully comprehend what it was to be female 
and Japanese-American and smart and have to try and come up. We take a 
lot of these things for granted. She was in fact the pioneer, not just 
in Hawaii but throughout the Nation, for indicating what could be 
accomplished with those kinds of strikes against her. She turned that 
adversity into accomplishment. For that reason, if for that reason 
alone, she stands as the standard for which every young woman and every 
young man who comes from humble circumstances can aspire. With Patsy 
Mink, you had someone who was not just a friend, not someone who was 
just a standard bearer, but you had someone who set the foundation for 
all those who came after.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure now to yield 4 
minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Democratic 
leader and a longtime friend and associate of Patsy Mink's.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) for yielding me this time and for his leadership 
in bringing this to the floor. I want to commend the gentleman from 
Hawaii (Mr. Case), the author of this legislation, and the gentleman 
from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie). I am pleased to join both of them in 
honoring Patsy Takemoto Mink.
  I rise in support of naming the post office on Maui, Hawaii, as the 
Patsy Takemoto Mink Post Office Building. Everyone who knew Patsy or 
worked with her on a daily basis had his or her day brightened by her 
presence. With her wonderful family and her magnificent education, 
Patsy could have led a comfortable life, away from the rough and tumble 
world of politics. But as has been said of Eleanor Roosevelt, Patsy had 
a ``burdensome conscience.'' She dedicated her life to helping people 
and challenging our consciences.
  Our colleagues have spoken, as I heard the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. 
Abercrombie) speak, to the obstacles that Patsy Mink had to overcome, 
as she was the first woman, the first Japanese-American in her law 
school, in her class; the first Asian-American woman attorney in 
Hawaii. She broke so many barriers. She was a pioneer.

                              {time}  1445

  As I said, she considered public service a noble calling, and her 
public service was distinguished by deep patriotism and love of 
America. She loved America because of our freedoms, which are the envy 
of the world. She loved America because of its people, whose diversity 
is the strength of our country. She loved America because of the beauty 
of our country, which she worked so hard to preserve on the Committee 
on Resources.
  Patsy worked on the Committee on Education and the Workforce and was 
dedicated to improving the quality of education and the quality of life 
for children. When Patsy said ``It is not right'' about something, 
Members would follow her anywhere.
  I had the privilege of speaking at Patsy's funeral service, and I 
told a story then that I think speaks to how irresistible she was and 
how she would never take no for an answer and how we were all at the 
mercy of her smile and the twinkle in her eye.
  She had said to me one day, ``I need you to come speak in Hawaii at 
my testimonial dinner, 25 years of service in the Congress.'' How 
exciting and honored I was, except it was on the day of my town meeting 
in San Francisco. It was a Saturday evening for her then.
  She said, ``What time is your town meeting?''
  I said, ``It is 10 o'clock in the morning and it lasts 2 hours.''
  She said, ``Fine. You can be on the 1 o'clock to Hawaii.''
  I said, ``I have another town meeting on Sunday.''
  She said, ``Fine. You can be on the red-eye to go back.''
  So I took the 1 o'clock flight to Hawaii, got there at 5 o'clock, got 
to the event at 6, left at 9, and was on the 10 o'clock flight home to 
San Francisco, as Patsy had decided for me. That was sandwiched in 
between flights to and from Washington, D.C. But there was no way to 
say no to her, because she had done so much for our country, because 
she meant so much to all of us. She had championed so many issues. We 
all loved her, respected her, and miss her terribly.
  So I cannot help but think that if Patsy were here today, she would 
be concerned about the expansion of the child tax credit and saying it 
is not right for us not to extend it to all the children of our men and 
women in uniform, as well as our working families in America. I wish 
she were here today.
  I know she would be proud of the representation of Hawaii that is 
here now, in the person of the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), and, 
of course, her close pal and buddy and former colleague for many years, 
the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie).
  Patsy Mink left a powerful legacy. Again, with a twinkle in her eye, 
her dazzling smile and her wonderful laugh, Patsy worked her magic on 
our country, making history and progress along the way. We were all 
privileged to call her ``colleague,'' and it is an honor to have this 
building named for the great Patsy Mink, and, important to her family, 
the Patsy Takemoto Mink Postal Building in Maui, Hawaii.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from California for her 
remarks and comments.
  Mr. Speaker, I do want to express my appreciation to you for your 
accommodation and to the gentlewoman from Florida. Patsy Mink was a 
great American, a great representative for this body, and thousands of 
people all over the world were inspired by her. Long before I became a 
Member of Congress, I was inspired by Patsy Mink.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I yield to the gentlewoman from California.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, in my friendship with the Case family, which 
includes the recently departed Dan Case, he was a great person in our 
country and came from a beautiful, magnificent family of leaders, and 
among them was Dan Case and is Steve Case. But we are blessed in this 
House for Patsy to have been followed by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. 
Case). The Case family is a family I know well, and Hawaii is well 
represented by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, again I want to thank the gentleman from Hawaii for 
introducing this important legislation. We all worked with 
Congresswoman Patsy Mink and respected her. She will always be in our 
prayers, and her family as well.
  I urge all Members to support the adoption of this important 
resolution.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege today to 
come to the podium in

[[Page 14285]]

support of the measure to honor a truly memorable colleague, the 
Honorable Patsy Takemoto Mink by naming the post office in Paia, Maui 
for her.
  When I came to Congress as a freshman member, it was so inspiring to 
serve on a committee with a role model who has made a real mark on our 
society through her lengthy service in the House of Representatives.
  Whenever Patsy took the microphone in the Education and the Workforce 
Committee, everyone knew that her comments would be principled, 
measured from the institutional knowledge of years working on 
persistent issues, and delivered with articulate passion. I admired her 
penchant for considering strategy--was it better to accept half a loaf 
this year or wait until next year to try to get the whole loaf. I 
respected her willingness always to stand up for people who were 
disadvantaged. Her priorities for education, housing, and health care 
match mine, and I valued her leadership in keeping that focus clear.
  It was an honor for me to join her at this podium on June 19, 2002 in 
the commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of Title IX. Seldom does 
one get to join forces with one of the original sponsors of legislation 
that was not only landmark legislation for our country but was so 
formative for my children's generation. When I was a local school board 
member, we had to work hard to change the culture of our society to 
implement the equality embodied in this bill.
  As we all spoke that day of the importance of this legislation, 
little did we imagine that her influence on the national conscience was 
soon to end. But, surely, she lived the battle for equal opportunity 
that Title IX codified.
  I am awed by the fact that in 1951 she earned a law degree from the 
University of Chicago, one of the country's premier institutions. Most 
of us know that the two women members of the Supreme Court who 
subsequently earned their law degrees struggled to find openings to 
practice their profession. She, too, demonstrated that equal 
opportunity was right for women in a field where women were not well 
appreciated.
  It is important that in addition to practicing law, her skills were 
valued so that President Carter invited her to serve the executive 
branch in the Department of State.
  Naming a post office in her beloved Maui in her honor will remind us 
all of the issues which empowered her life--working for children--their 
education, their homes and their health care. I thank her for showing 
us the way.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 2030, a resolution 
designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
120 Baldwin Avenue in Paia, Maui, Hawaii, as the ``Patsy Takemoto Mink 
Post Office Building''.
  Patsy was an outstanding leader, woman, mother, and friend, and I 
believe that naming a post office after her is a great tribute to a 
people's champion.
  I believe Patsy spoke not only for the forgotten, the 
disenfranchised, and the poor, but also to the conscience of all 
Americans. She was my colleague and dear friend who helped lead the 
charge on providing real reforms that helped all people across the 
country.
  Patsy stood as the standard for all legislators to rise to. Over the 
span of her career, she was particularly proud of the leading role she 
played in 1972 during the passage of Title IX of the Federal Education 
Act. She helped open many opportunities for women, which reflected a 
long-standing concern for equality, liberty and justice for people.
  I also shared her passion for peace and mediation. She once said, 
``America is not a country which needs to demand conformity of all its 
people, for its strength lies in all our diversities converging in one 
common belief, that of the importance of freedom as the essence of our 
country.''
  I loved and respected Patsy for her courage and fortitude.
  A great woman in Congress, Patsy Mink was brilliant, full of 
compassion, and passion; always working tirelessly for equal justice, 
liberty, and the value of a diverse legislative body.
  I'm proud to have served beside Congresswoman Patsy Mink and miss her 
tremendously. I ask that all of my colleagues support passage of H.R. 
2030.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2030, the Patsy 
Takemoto Mink Post Office Building offered by Representative Ed Case.
  Congresswoman Patsy Mink was a trailblazer who fought for the passage 
of the Women's Educational Equity Act--landmark legislation. This 
groundbreaking legislation, Title IX, promoted educational equity and 
opened the playing fields for millions of girls and women. Patsy Mink 
stood up and spoke up for girls and women.
  She was a member of the Government Reform Committee and I am pleased 
that I had the opportunity to work with her. She will be missed but her 
legacy will continue not only in the naming of this post office but in 
the legislative policies she supported.
  I join my colleagues in honoring Patsy Mink for her service and for 
being a true role model for women and all Americans.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, in the nine months since we lost the 
irrepressible Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink, my colleagues and 
communities across the Nation have celebrated the incredible ``firsts'' 
and the numerous battles that Patsy waged on the behalf of Americans 
who needed a voice in federal policymaking the most.
  Congresswoman Mink's record as an advocate for civil rights is 
unassailable, a crowning achievement being the passage of Title IX of 
the federal education amendments in 1972. This landmark legislation 
banned gender discrimination in schools, both in academic and 
athletics.
  She awakened all of our social consciousness through her tireless 
advocacy, work and dedication; inspiring students, community leaders, 
political appointees and especially elected officials of the Asian 
Pacific American communities and beyond.
  Anyone who was fortunate enough to have been touched by her life 
knows that this nation has lost a true warrior in the constant struggle 
for justice. We will all miss her counsel and guidance, as well as her 
friendship.
  Patsy Mink was there at the beginning of many things. She was born at 
the time when women and minorities were not given fair opportunities to 
achieve their dreams. She remains a role model for countless women, as 
well as those of us from the Asian American and Pacific Islander 
community.
  Though she is not physically present, her spirit and legacy will live 
on through those of us who believe that the fight for fairness and 
equity is never over. I find it a very fitting tribute to pass H.R. 
2030. This post office located in Pa`ia, Maui will be a constant 
reminder to us of our great friend Patsy Mink and is the least we can 
do to ensure her legacy continues.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak in favor 
of renaming the U.S. Postal Service office in Paia, Hawaii the ``Patsy 
Takemoto Mink Post Office Building.'' We do this in honor of the legacy 
of a pioneering woman and one of the most distinguished and honorable 
Members of the House of Representatives, my colleague and my friend--
Congresswoman Patsy Mink. I am so pleased to have had an opportunity to 
know her and serve with her.
  Without Patsy's leadership, the passage of the hallmark Title IX of 
the Federal Education Act of 1972 would never have come to pass. Thanks 
to Patsy's hard work, Title IX created opportunities for women and 
girls in athletics and all operations of college and university 
programs.
  I shall remember her as a giant who spoke in gentle but very fierce 
and deliberate tones, and whose stature allowed her to tower above the 
crowds. Patsy challenged us all the time with the question ``Does it 
matter whether women are involved in politics?'' Her career exemplifies 
the answer. Her voice is now stilled, but her ideals and the challenges 
she left for us will forever be etched in our memory.
  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2030, a bill 
to designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 120 
Baldwin Avenue in Paia, Maui, Hawaii, as the ``Patsy Takemoto Mink Post 
Office Building.'' I want to thank my colleague from Hawaii, Mr. Case, 
for introducing this bill, and ask all of my colleagues to join with me 
in supporting this legislation to ensure that the people of Hawaii and 
all those who visit there remember this remarkable woman.
  I cannot say enough about Patsy Mink. She was a trailblazer--the 
first woman of color elected to Congress in 1964, the first Asian-
American woman to practice law in Hawaii, the first woman president of 
the Americans for Democratic Action, the list goes on . . . By the time 
I was elected to Congress in 1978, she had already won passage of a 
major piece of civil rights legislation: Title IX expanded 
opportunities to female student athletes across the United States. 
Mindful of the beautiful region she represented, Patsy was also 
fiercely committed to protecting our natural resources and fought to 
ensure a healthy environment for all Americans. And her work on welfare 
reform later in her career reflected her fundamental belief that 
families living in poverty deserve the opportunity to share in the 
America dream. The country has benefited tremendously from Patsy's 
dedication to her values and her devotion to social progress. And

[[Page 14286]]

those who had the privilege to know her benefited from her warmth, 
kindness, and friendship.
  Patsy Mink's unyielding commitment to issues of social justice and 
equality will be deeply missed in the House, as will her friendship and 
leadership. I urge my colleagues to support this bill as a small token 
of appreciation for all that Patsy Mink gave to this body, the people 
of Hawaii, and our great nation. As we remember her today, let us hope 
that naming this building in her honor will inspire others to follow 
her example of tireless dedication to public service.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this 
bill, which designates a post office in Paia, Maui County, Hawaii as 
the Patsy Takemoto Mink Post Office Building. Patsy Mink served in the 
House of Representatives from 1964 to 1977 and again from 1990 to 2002. 
The world lost one of its greatest citizens, and I lost a good friend 
when she passed away on September 28, 2002.
  One of her greatest legislative accomplishments, she felt, was the 
passage of Title IX, which led to expanded opportunities for women and 
girls in athletics and academics. In the last decade of her political 
leadership, she was a tireless advocate on behalf of poor families, 
working to promote policies that addressed the realities of poverty. 
During the 107th Congress, she garnered substantial support for 
legislation to provide additional educational opportunities for the 
nation's welfare recipients. Patsy Mink also helped write environmental 
protection laws safeguarding land and water in communities affected by 
coal strip mining.
  It is certainly fitting that we acknowledge this outstanding woman's 
accomplishments by naming a post office in her honor, and I thank 
Representative Ed Case for his stewardship of this bill. Patsy Mink's 
life of public service spanned six decades, beginning in 1956 when she 
was elected to the Territorial House in Hawaii. In 1964 she was elected 
to the House of Representatives and was one of the early opponents of 
the Vietnam War. President Jimmy Carter appointed her as assistant 
secretary of state for oceans, international, environmental and 
scientific affairs from 1977 to 1978, and she served as the national 
president for Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) from 1978 to 1981. 
Following her tenure as ADA president, she returned to politics, 
serving on the Honolulu City Council, and in a 1990 special election, 
she regained her Congressional seat.
  Patsy Mink was an exemplary role model for women and minorities, and 
it is a pleasure and an honor to pay homage to a cherished colleague, 
who is no longer here, but certainly not forgotten.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2030, a bill 
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service in Paia, 
Maui, Hawaii as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Post Office Building. Patsy 
served as my mentor, my teacher, my advisor and most importantly, my 
friend. Congresswoman Mink was a woman of courage and determination who 
wore the mantle of leader with ease.
  Born to immigrant parents in Hawaii, Patsy developed an appreciation 
for education at a young age. She obtained a Bachelor's degree from the 
University of Hawaii and, as we all know, it was Patsy's intent to 
attend medical school upon completion of her bachelor's degree. 
However, Patsy never realized this dream as none of the 20 medical 
schools to which she applied would accept women.
  Not one to stand idly by, Patsy decided to attend the University of 
Chicago's Law School. Upon graduating from law school, Patsy returned 
to Hawaii where she became the first Asian-American woman to practice 
law in Hawaii. This was just one of many firsts Patsy would accomplish.
  Congresswoman Patsy Mink was the first woman of color elected to 
Congress and introduced the first comprehensive Early Childhood 
Education Act. Most notably, Patsy was a co-author of Title IX of the 
Higher Education Act, an Act which has played a pivotal role in 
expanding women's educational and sports opportunities in colleges and 
universities throughout our country.
  Patsy also faced life's hardships with dignity, integrity and honor. 
I believe it is only fitting that we now honor Patsy by designating the 
U.S. Postal facility in Paia, Maui in her name. I urge my colleagues to 
support H.R. 2030.
  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2030, a bill to 
designate a post office in Paia, Maui, Hawaii in honor of dear 
colleague and friend, Patsy Mink.
  Congresswoman Mink was an advocate, mentor, and inspiration for Asian 
American and Pacific Islander communities. Mrs. Mink was the first 
Asian American woman elected to Congress, and she served the APA 
community as chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. 
She blazed trails for many of us, and encouraged students, community 
leaders, and APA elected officials to get involved with the legislative 
process.
  Mrs. Mink's career in public service was defined by her commitment to 
giving a voice for those who needed it most. A prominent member of 
Congress, she worked tirelessly on behalf of women and minorities, 
focusing on issues such as civil rights, education, the environment, 
and poverty.
  I am honored to have served with her, both in the Congressional Asian 
Pacific American Caucus and in the Education and Work Force Committee. 
Her endless dedication to public service was a guiding example to all 
of us. Above all, I will miss her friendship.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 2030.
  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, just nine months ago, in the middle of her 
campaign for a thirteenth House term, which she most certainly would 
have won resoundingly and in fact did win posthumously, the late United 
States Representative Patsy Takemoto Mink was tragically lost to her 
beloved Hawai`i, this Congress, our country, and our very world.
  The days, weeks, and months that followed witnessed a massive 
outpouring of first shock and disbelief, then sorrow and regret, and 
finally remembrance and gratitude for this singular life.
  As just a few examples:
  A deeply moving memorial service was held in our Hawai`i State 
Capitol, graciously attended by many of Mrs. Mink's colleagues from 
this House, including now-Minority Leader Pelosi and Education and the 
Workforce Ranking Member Miller, and thousands of grateful citizens of 
Hawai`i and beyond;
  This House published a beautiful memorial volume containing the many 
eulogies delivered by Mrs. Mink's colleagues on this House floor, and I 
want my colleagues to know how deeply grateful the Mink family--husband 
John, daughter Wendy, brother Eugene--are for that gesture; and
  The students at the University of Hawai`i Richardson School of Law, 
on their own initiative, created and funded the Patsy T. Mink Memorial 
Fellowship for the purpose of providing an internship here in our 
Congress each year to a person in Mrs. Mink's making; the first Mink 
Fellow, Van Luong, joined my office last week and, you know, she 
reminds me of Mrs. Mink.
  There also were and continued to be a multitude of testimonials on 
her lasting legislative accomplishments. My colleagues that will follow 
me and know of her exploits in this arena can tell this story best.
  But perhaps what struck me most amidst this outpouring were the 
simple testimonials I heard, as I sought election to what is still 
referred to as ``Patsy Mink's seat,'' from the ordinary people out 
across Hawai`i's great Second District; the people she represented and 
lived for, like:
  The longtime friend in Lihu`e on Kaua`i, who Patsy, herself sick, 
visited in the hospital there just days before she herself was 
admitted;
  The taro farmers in Kipahulu, Maui, about as remote a place as there 
is in Hawai`i, who asked Patsy to come and see their problem 
personally, and she did, donning boots and walking through their lo`i; 
and
  The pig hunter in Waimea on the Big Island; he was concerned that she 
understand an issue and the only way, he thought, was to show her the 
issue up in the forest; she went.
  These testimonials, of course can never replace Patsy Mink, although 
they do demonstrate that our remembrances of her are her own best 
legacy. But it is entirely appropriate that we all provide a more 
tangible reminder of her life and times, a memorial that will serve as 
a constant physical reminder that will cause us to reflect on what she 
stood for.
  And so, as I talked about this with John Mink after my election, he 
relayed his wish, also endorsed by others such as the Maui County 
Council, that the U.S. Post Office at Pa`ia, Maui be renamed the 
``Patsy Takemoto Mink Post Office Building.'' And when you understand 
Pa`ia where it is and what it represented to Patsy Mink, you understand 
how entirely appropriate it is that we take this action.
  Pa`ia is a town on the north shore of Maui, on the slopes of 
Haleakala, a town built on sugar and pineapple. It is located about a 
mile from what was once the thriving plantation village of Hamakua 
Poko, a village of immigrants of Japanese, Portuguese, Filipino and 
other origins; a village where Patsy Takemoto was born in 1927 and 
raised in all of the good, and not so good, of Hawai`i and our country 
in the 1930s and 1940s; a community in which bonds were deep but needs 
were great. It is also the community in which the old Maui High School 
was located, the school where Mrs. Mink's political career began when 
she was

[[Page 14287]]

elected its first woman student body president, the first of many such 
firsts, and from which she graduated in 1944 as valedictorian and went 
on to the incredible life she led.
  In short, Pa`ia is where this great American was born, where her 
values were forged, where her spirit was lit. And it represents, both 
physically and figuratively, the peoples, traditions, and beliefs that 
she never ever forgot.
  There is no more fitting memorial to Patsy Takemoto Mink than that 
she be remembered by us all here in her hometown. For the Mink family 
and Hawai`i, I thank my 115 co-sponsors. I thank Chair Davis and 
Ranking Member Waxman for moving this bill through the committee so 
quickly, I thank those who came here to speak, and for Hawaii I thank 
this House.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2030.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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