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Hawaii and Congress has lost a courageous and tenacious leader with the passing of United States Representative Patsy Mink who lost her battle with viral pneumonia on September 28, 2002. She was 74 and amongst the brightest stars of a unique generation. In 1953, she became the first Asian-American woman to practice law in Hawaii.
In 1954 she was elected president of the Young Democrats, a coalition which became a strong voice for all minorities and which challenged the Hawaii Democratic Party to become a philosophical movement that embraced a full range of social agendas. She was elected to the Territorial House of Representatives in 1956 as part of the revolution toppling the economic grip of the Republican Party. In 1959 Hawaii became a state which strives to reflect her values of equality, honesty, justice, and a deep belief that in our society, no one should be left behind.
Patsy had a warm and friendly Maui and Neighbor Island personality, but with a brash no-nonsense style and an unwavering commitment to her values and integrity. She seemed unconcerned about what people thought of her and often chose a solitary path as a valiant trailblazer whether as a passionate anti-Vietnam activist or fighting for equal rights for women or social justice.
Perhaps her most known achievement was the passing of federal Title IX legislation that mandated equal promotion of women sports at college level and in honoring her, that legislation now officially bears her name. But it's the consistent fight for moral and ethical legitimacy throughout her career that sets her apart.
Years ago, while she was serving in Congress, three newly elected Democrats opportunistically switched parties shortly after the election. When there was no action, Patsy came home to lead the recall petition drive and the politicians were soon ousted. Whether you agreed or disagreed with her, you had to admire this lady who was passionate in her beliefs and backed it with gutsy action!
Throughout her long extraordinary political career in city and county, state, and federal government she was a liberal who never wavered from her belief "that the only legitimate use of power is to improve the situation for those without it." She was a great, inspiring and powerful voice!
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Many of the same forces that launched the 1954 Hawaii Democratic Revolution also shaped Hawaii's bonsai community. Then bonsai was a very secretive past time of elderly Japanese men. In the late 1960's several of us formed the non-profit Hawaii Bonsai Association with the objective of sharing our hobby with everyone. We became dedicated to the idea and concept that bonsai become a bridge to international friendship and peace.
Sometimes Fuku-Bonsai efforts run into conflict with the organized bonsai community who often seem intent on shaping bonsai as an elitist activity. Like Patsy, Fuku-Bonsai often seems at odds with prevailing wisdom and bonsai organizations. We do so with the conviction that everyone should have the opportunity to successfully grow bonsai. Bonsai celebrates a personal relationship between a tree and its owner-trainer and each bonsai is special just as each child is unique.
To paraphrase Patsy's philosophy, " the only legitimate use of bonsai knowledge is to share it with those without it." Those of us who have had the privilege of living a bonsai lifestyle have a duty and obligation to share the blessings of bonsai with others. In doing so we make a small gentle contribution to friendship and peace.
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Thousands came to honor and stream pass the casket of this very special lady in the open atrium of the Hawaii State Capital yesterday and today Patsy was laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. We'll all miss her.
~~~ David W. Fukumoto October 4, 2002 (FBnews5)
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