Jon L. Christensen: “I rise to join our other colleagues to pay tribute to Patsy Mink's outstanding legacy which spanned more than 24 years.…”

“I rise to join our other colleagues to pay tribute to Patsy Mink's outstanding legacy which spanned more than 24 years. Though small in stature, as many of us have made reference to, the death of our dear friend, colleague, and leader on so many important issues has left a very large void in this body. Our hearts and prayers go out to her husband, John; daughter, Wendy; brother; and other family members and the community that she loved and served so well. I consider myself privileged to have had the wonderful opportunity to have worked with her on a number of issues. I have been particularly grateful for her tenacity in our work to eliminate health disparities for women and people of color. Just this past spring, Patsy joined me in a forum on improving health care quality for minority Americans. As ranking member on the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the gentle lady from Hawaii used her position to influence and improve education and work opportunities for all.”