Readers remember
Patsy Mink
When I got the phone call that Patsy Mink passed away last Saturday, my heart sank. After all, how many heroes do we get in a lifetime? A couple at best, if we are lucky. Saturday, I lost one of mine. Tireless Mink affected
many lives for the betterPatsy Mink gave me my first "real" job out of college. She took a chance and brought me onto her campaign staff back in 1994 to manage her campaign office -- a modest little office on Uluniu Street where I'd start every morning with a carton of POG as I combed through the newspapers from around the state. I continued to work for the congresswoman in her Washington, D.C., office and while I went on to other jobs, I returned to work on her campaign in 1996 and in her Honolulu office for a period in 2000.
Those of us on the staff who left to pursue other jobs but later returned would joke that we were "re-treads." It seemed that as hard as the work was, we couldn't stay away. She had an incredible ability to inspire us to be the best we could be and to use our talents and energy to help those in need.
No matter what one thought of her political beliefs, there is no question that she was the hardest-working member of Congress, and the people of Hawaii were fortunate to have had such a devoted and tireless advocate.
I don't know if the people of Hawaii always recognized just how much work Mink put in each day on their behalf. It is no exaggeration when I say she worked seven days a week, and 12-hour days were the norm. She wasn't in Congress to get on "Meet the Press," "Crossfire" or "Larry King Live." She was there for the people who elected her.
While she was a pioneer on so many fronts and her name is often followed by the phrase "the first," she was above all a servant of the people of Hawaii. I used to get calls from people who would say "I'm voting Republican, but for Congress, I'll be voting for Patsy Mink," and they would follow that with a story of how she had helped them or a family member when it seemed nobody else would take the time. Congresswoman Mink didn't care how small or large the problem or even if you were in the other congressional district; she took every request seriously.
Anyone who has ever spent time with Patsy Mink will tell you that, even at age 74, she had an incredible level of energy that put even us younger staff to shame! I remember island-hopping on the campaign trail all day, coming back to the office exhausted, wanting to collapse into a nice, comfy chair, yet Mink would be zipping around the office catching up on work that she had set aside for our return. I realized early on that for her, visiting each town and listening to constituents, trying to improve their lives -- that's what drove her to work even harder and more passionately.
I feel no envy for the person elected to follow her as the next U.S. representative for the 2nd District of Hawaii; she left some awfully big shoes to fill. When I say I lost a hero, I know that's not entirely true. I know she will always be with us so long as I, and the many others whose lives she influenced, live up to the standards she set as an individual, as a member of the community and as a public servant. May her legacy forever be reflected in us and the choices we make for our children, our communities and our future.
Mahalo, Patsy, for making our world a better place and for making me a better person.
Justin Leach
Long Beach, Calif.Mink was inspiration for women in politics
As a graduate of Kahuku High, class of 1960, I was saddened to read about the death of Patsy Mink. She was a great inspiration to me. In 1987, when I was running for the city council seat in Lacey, Wash., she talked with me as we walked to her car in the parking lot at the Makaha hotel, encouraging me in my first bid for elected office. Patsy was our keynote speaker at our annual Title IX conference, held in Hawaii.Patsy Mink was a powerful role model for me and for many other women in the nation working toward gender equity. I went on to serve as the mayor of Lacey and will forever be grateful for Patsy's courageous personal and political influence.
Gene Canque Liddell
Retired teacher, state curriculum director, member of governor's cabinet, state of Washington
Lacey, Wash.
She was heroic figure for women in sports
In the passing of Patsy Mink, my sister and I have realized just how fortunate we have been for her many years of tireless work on behalf of females, particularly her congressional labors in having the provisions of Title IX of the Civil Rights Act passed through Congress 30 years ago.Because of her, equal opportunities were provided for women to participate in high school and college athletics on an equal footing with men, and we feel honored and privileged to be a part of her legacy.
Our parents have reminded us of her presence as an intelligent, articulate person of principle who did not allow the opinions of others or outside pressures to sway her dedication or resolve in her beliefs. These days, it is often at a great expense to be looked at by others as rocking the boat, but her example gave us the courage and strength to stay firm in our beliefs.
As our father has said, it's people like her who should be remembered and emulated for having given a lifetime of service to the community, having provided invaluable benefit not only to those who co-existed with her, but to their offspring and beyond. We thank her for being such a remarkable role model.
Shaina and Trisha Nishimoto
Loyola Marymount University Women's Soccer
University of Hawaii Women's Basketball
Her husband could serve out her term
Governor Cayetano has the most reasonable solution for the special election problem to fill Patsy Mink's congressional seat -- include the special election question on the day of the general election (Nov. 5), thus solving the problem of excessive costs and taking the wind out of the critics' sails.The inclusion of John Mink as a candidate, if he is willing, would also make good sense. John Mink has spent many years with Patsy in Washington and knows the issues and the drill. John would be a most effective representative of and for Hawaii.
Norman Hallett
Answers needed about Mink's final weeks
May Patsy Mink rest in peace. I voted for her in the primary election. In recent weeks, we in Hawaii respected her privacy. We accepted her family's and her political party's assurances that she would soon be healthy again.Sadly, their prognosis was wrong. Indeed, now their upbeat assurances appear suspicious. It now seems that those closest to her may have misled us. The timing of her passing created an aura of scandal that will forever dim her legacy -- unless the truth is promptly aired.
Sen. Daniel Inouye is right. It's ghoulish to speculate about who knew what and when in the weeks leading up to her passing. That's why we need the truth. I hope those who loved her and who know the truth will share it with us. As a public official, Mink knew that her right to privacy was necessarily limited by her responsibilities to serve. The seminal question is: When did her family and/or her political party know she was too ill to continue to serve in Congress?
We citizens of Hawaii and the United States are owed the facts. Indeed, if we taxpayers must pay for one or more multimillion-dollar special election, we are entitled to them.
May God bless Patsy Mink and her family in this difficult time.
Mike Rethman
Kaneohe
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