U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and 20 of her colleagues have introduced a resolution to commemorate the life and legacy of the late Rep. Patsy Takemoto Mink.

“My friend Patsy Mink was a champion for social and economic justice, equality and civil rights for women and marginalized communities,” Hirono said in a press release Friday. “She was a trailblazer who never backed down from a challenge and whose work in Hawaii and Congress brought positive change to the lives of women, children, and minorities in Hawaii and across the country. It is an honor to play a part in carrying on her legacy and continuing the important work that she started.”

Patsy Mink. File Photo

Hirono’s office notes that Mink introduced the first childcare bill and co-authored Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to promote equal access to opportunities for women and girls.

Mink (1927-2002) served in the Hawaii territorial House from 1956 to 1958, the Hawaii territorial Senate from 1958 to 1959 and the Hawaii State Senate from 1962 to 1964.

She was also the first Asian-American woman to practice law in the state of Hawaii.

In addition to Hirono, the co-sponsors of the resolution are U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

All 17 Democratic women senators signed onto the resolution, including the four running for president.

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