Pete Aguilar: “Mahalo, Ms. Gabbard. I appreciate the gentlewoman from Hawaii yielding to me to talk about my colleague and my friend…”

“Mahalo, Ms. Gabbard. I appreciate the gentlewoman from Hawaii yielding to me to talk about my colleague and my friend Mark Takai. As I stand here in aloha attire, I am sure my colleague would admire my dress, yet shake his head at my tie. We do love our rules here in Congress, but even the Speaker acknowledged yesterday that Mark continually talked with him about the need to embrace the aloha spirit and to maybe, just maybe, relax our rules occasionally. Like many in our class, I met Mark during freshman orientation in December of 2014, when we were both elected. Instantly, all of us gravitated to him. He was easy to love. As I reflect on the impact that he had on me, I am struck by four key things that you will continue to hear my colleagues share in their stories. First was his pleasant attitude, demeanor, smile, and his full- hearted laugh. He had a deep concern for his colleagues, even as he battled his illness. I can't tell you the number of times he would sit right up here and we would talk about the bills and the issues of the day, and I would try to say something to make him laugh, and he would give that big smile and that full-throated laugh. He took a lot of pride in that. I am not sure there is anyone in this Chamber who didn't enjoy spending time with Mark. He was just that special. Second was his pride in Hawaii and of his service in the military.…”