Neil Abercrombie: “I indicated in my previous remarks that we were limited in our opportunities to be able to speak about Patsy and I…”

“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.”