WHEREAS, United States Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink was an outstanding American, an outstanding woman, and an outstanding resident of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Mink was the first Japanese-American woman elected to the House of Representatives in the Territorial Legislature, the first Japanese-American woman elected to the Senate in the Territorial Legislature, and the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress; and

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Mink also served as Chairperson of the Honolulu City Council, and in Washington in the Department of State; and

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Mink authored landmark legislation, such as Title IX, of the Higher Education Act, now renamed the "Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act"; and

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Mink was a tireless champion of American ideals of freedom, equality, civil rights, and peace; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is urged to commission a painted portrait honoring the late Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink to be funded by the Works of Art Special Fund; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Report Title:

Patsy Mink, Commission Portrait, Foundation on Culture and Arts