STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2100

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: S.B. No. 3111

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 3111 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMMISSION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CONGRESSWOMAN PATSY T. MINK,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a commission which will be in charge of the arrangements for recognizing and honoring Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from United States Congressman Neil Abercrombie; United States Congressman Ed Case; the Hawaii State Teachers Association; Americans for Democratic Action; and a private individual.

Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink made a tremendous impact on the people of Hawaii and the nation through her illustrious career as an outstanding public servant. During her political career, she served a total of thirty-three years in the Hawaii Territorial House and Senate, the Hawaii State Senate, the Honolulu City Council, and the United States House of Representatives. Congresswoman Mink is known for championing the rights of immigrants, minorities, women, families, and children. She overcame gender and racial discrimination to become one of the most influential leaders of her generation.

Congresswoman Mink's most prominent accomplishment is the landmark Title IX Amendment of the Higher Education Act, which she co-authored. The Act prohibits gender discrimination by federally funded educational institutions and guarantees equal federal support for women in academics and athletics. In addition to broadening the educational opportunities for girls and women, the groundbreaking law gave rise to women's athletic programs in American high schools, colleges, and universities.

Your Committee finds it appropriate to establish a temporary commission to recognize and honor Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink, and to place it within the Office of the Governor for administrative purposes. The commission shall conduct research and submit its recommendations to the legislature on how the State can honor Congresswoman Mink.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3111 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology,

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair