DEAN SENSUI / DSENSUI@STARBULLETIN.COM U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka led the audience in "Hawaii Aloha" yesterday at the funeral of Patsy Mink at the state Capitol.

Mink laid to rest at Punchbowl,
honored for equal-rights battles

Mourners are tribute to Mink's compassion

---

By Pat Omandam and Crystal Kua
pomandam@starbulletin.com | ckua@starbulletin.com

Remembering Patsy Takemoto Mink for the twinkle in her eye, the fire in her voice and the unwavering compassion in her heart, the state and the rest of the country said goodbye yesterday to the congresswoman.

"Patsy was an extraordinary leader, a leader before her time," said Gov. Ben Cayetano.

U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisc., one of 25 current and former members of Congress who flew here to attend her services, added, "Patsy, you made your mark on this country."

The shade of a towering Tacoma tree at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific marked the final resting place for the U.S. representative, who died last Saturday after weeks of battling viral pneumonia brought on by chickenpox.

Mink received military funeral honors because her husband is a war veteran and because she was a member of Congress at the time she died.

About three dozen relatives and friends -- many wearing a rose wrapped in orange ribbon -- arrived in a caravan of cars for the private burial that included the playing of taps and a three-rifle volley salute.

The burial followed a nearly 22-hour public viewing and memorial services at the state Capitol, where Mink's body lay in state.

Mink was honored in a memorial service yesterday morning where about a thousand people, including nearly all of Hawaii's political leaders, gathered in the Capitol courtyard to pay tribute to her.

Her husband, John, and daughter, Wendy, along with other Mink family members, heard testimonials to her hallmark career from more than a dozen speakers.

House Democrat Minority Leader Richard Gephardt called Mink a pioneer and trailblazer who fought for -- and won -- efforts to end discrimination against women and minorities. Foremost was the Title IX legislation she co-introduced in 1972, which banned gender discrimination at federally funded educational institutions.

"And as a result," Gephardt said, "literally millions of young women have been able to get scholarships and to participate in sports and get to college and have an opportunity because of her work in the Congress.

"That will be a lasting monument to her name forever."

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, who represented President Bush, said that of all the battles Mink faced, the one that will stand out is Title IX.

"Her contributions to that act is nothing less than an Emancipation Proclamation to the women of America," Mineta said.

Mink had many firsts in her 50-year career. Among them was being the first Japanese-American woman admitted to the Hawaii bar and the first woman of color elected to Congress.

Mink served in Congress between 1965 and 1977, and again from 1990 until her death. Between those periods, she served on the Honolulu City Council and as a private attorney.

U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., wondered if she was ready for a world without Mink. Woolsey said there is still much work to do to bring true equity to the country and will do her best to carry on Mink's work.

Calvin Tamura, Mink's cousin, was the only family member to speak at yesterday's services. He said Mink came from a Maui plantation family that represented a cross-section of Hawaii.

On behalf of the family, Tamura thanked Mink's staff for their commitment and hard work, and thanked her opponents for elevating legislative issues. He closed by urging everyone in Hawaii to vote, something Mink would have done, he said.

"We must fight, fight, fight for what we believe in," said Tamura, impersonating his cousin's fiery trademark style of speech.

Memorial fund A memorial fund has been set up in Patsy Mink's name. Donations may be sent to: Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Fund for Low Income Women and Children P.O. Box 479 Honolulu, HI 96809