Charles Skelton: “as we gather in the House chamber with tremendous sadness over the passing of our dear friend and colleague, the…”

“as we gather in the House chamber with tremendous sadness over the passing of our dear friend and colleague, the Honorable Patsy Mink of Hawaii, I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the career of a distinguished public servant who dedicated her life to the people of Hawaii and the United States. Patsy graduated valedictorian of her Maui High School class and received a bachelor's degree in zoology and chemistry from the University of Hawaii and a law degree from the University of Chicago, graduating as only one of two women in a class of 200. She practiced law and turned her sights to public service while mobilizing the Democratic party to take control of the Hawaii territorial government in the mid-1950s. From that time, Patsy served as an elected representative in the territorial and state legislatures, a city councilwoman, a federal official, and a Member of Congress. In Congress, as a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, she consistently championed legislation that would improve education, child care, welfare, and gender equality.”