Rubén Hinojosa: “I rise tonight to honor one of my esteemed colleagues, Congresswomen Patsy Mink of Hawaii, who passed away this weekend…”

“I rise tonight to honor one of my esteemed colleagues, Congresswomen Patsy Mink of Hawaii, who passed away this weekend, on September 28, 2002. This is a very sad day for me and for all of Congress as we mourn the loss of a colleague, a patriot and a friend. While Patsy's death does bring deep sadness to this Congress and the state of Hawaii, this is a day for us to reflect on the wonderful legacy that she has left behind. I would like to state first and foremost that Congresswoman Mink was indeed a true pioneer and a maverick. I am honored to have served on the House Education and Workforce Committee with her during my tenure here in Congress. She served as a great example of someone who believed in her causes and would stop at nothing to bring her dreams and those of her constituents to fruition. Patsy will be remembered as a champion of minority education, especially Title IX legislation that mandated equal financing for women's athletics and academics at institutions receiving federal money.”