Pelosi Remarks at Remembrance Ceremony Honoring Late Congressman Mark Takai

"Aloha! It is a privilege indeed to be here with so many members of the official family of the state of Hawaii.  It is a personal and official honor to be here with Mark's family.  He drew such strength from Erik and Naomi, from Ross and Nadine and Nikki and of course the love and joy of his life, Sami and Matthew and Kaila.  He talked about you all the time.

"So, it is my solemn privilege today, personally, but it is my solemn official privilege today to give voice to the sorrow of the United States Congress of the passing of our colleague and our friend, Congressman Mark Takai.  This is the second time I have brought greetings here in this very venue, years ago, when we lost Patsy Mink, so I know the spirit that is here today.  On both occasions, we lost someone very special.

"Mark Takai was a very, very special person and as Sylvia said, it is a real tribute to him that so many of our colleagues are here or will be here in the course of the ceremonies.  Certainly Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, Mark Takano, Congressman Aguilar, Congressman Gallego, Congressman Lieu, Congresswoman Chu, Congressman Moulton, representing the Speaker of the House – Congresswoman Amata Radewagen is here and some of our former colleagues – Governor Abercrombie, Congresswoman Hanabusa, Ed Case, former Congressman; our former colleague and former Senator Danny Akaka, joining, of course, the two Senators from Hawaii – Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz.  But all of our colleagues send their regards and we will have an observance in Washington, D.C. at the family's convenience.

"Everybody knew – we were just speaking here about how much Mark put into a day.  And while I had the privilege of being with some of you, when we had the swearing-in ceremonial, swearing in just in January – 18 months he was in Congress.  18 months – but he accomplished so much.  He was a man in a hurry.  He made use of time in a very special way.  We all celebrated that swearing-in ceremony – he said, when he was sworn-in in Washington, "I'm going to have the very first swearing-in ceremony outside of Washington," and he did.  Then, we saw in just a matter of weeks later, Senator Mazie Hirono and Mark Takai go to Selma, Alabama where they brought leis to observe the 50th anniversary of the March on Selma.

"And now, I mind you – he was in Congress eight weeks.  There were many people who thought they might – should have thought of that first.  I had the privilege of bringing him as a Freshman Member on a Congressional Delegation to Asia.  And I tell you about that because here he was – just again, a matter of months a Member of Congress – but representing this district, this state, this country.

"In terms of our national security, he led us in conversations here in Hawaii, before we went to Guam, before we went to Cambodia, Vietnam and then to meet with our troops in Korea and in Japan – you can imagine how welcomed he was in Japan.  It was pretty exciting.  But here he was, again, only in a matter of months – but he was an experienced legislator, effective from the start because of his service right here.  And he had a special grace and dignity – thank you Naomi and Erik – that, again, he brought to his diplomacy, talking about the security of our country, talking about economics, in terms of trade – that was an issue on the trip – but also about our values, in terms of human rights.  So he, again, as a freshman Member, made a tremendous impression every place he went.  I have neglected saying "he made his mark" – that would be a pun.  But, he really did.

"Then, I wish you could've seen him there.  You did see him at his swearing-in, many of you.  I wish you could've seen him on this trip.  I wish you could've seen him at our Issues Conference earlier this year.  When Vice President Biden embraced him – having a son nearly Mark's age go through what Mark was going through – we had hoped for a different conclusion, but nonetheless, embraced by the Vice President in a very personal way – the Vice President talks about it all the time.  And what the Vice President always says – and I hope it's a comfort to the family – is: ‘Soon there will come a time when the mention of his name will bring a smile to your lips, rather than a tear to your eye.'  I hope that that will be soon.

"Our President made a beautiful statement and he sends his regards – when he found out about Mark's passing, he and Michelle, as well as the Vice President and Jill Biden – the President himself said this: ‘Michelle and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Representative Mark Takai.  Mark was a fighter.  It's the spirit he brought to more than two decades of public service on behalf of the people of Hawaii.  He stood up for America's most vulnerable.  He championed our troops and veterans and proudly wore our nation's uniform.  And his relentless push for cancer research inspired countless Americans fighting the same battle as he.  Simply put, our country is better off' – the President said – ‘simply put, our country is better off because of Mark's contributions.  He leaves a legacy of courage, of service and of hope.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark's wife Sami, and their two children, many friends and family.'

"In the House, Mark held the respect of Members on both sides of the aisle, on both sides in the Capitol.  Mark's passing is a great tragedy.  But his life is a gift – one that will always be treasured by his family and friends and one that will reverberate in countless lives because of his service.

"Everyone who knew Mark knew his dedication to public service, of course, but they also knew his devotion to his beautiful family, his greatest pride and joy.  Matthew and Kaila, I know you are very proud of your father.  To you and Sami, on behalf of the Congress of the United States and on behalf of our Speaker, Paul Ryan – represented here, Delegate Amata Radewagen – it is my honor to present you with the flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol on the day that Mark left us.

"I also want to say that Mark was a true patriot.  Here he is wrapped in the flag, so appropriately.  I think it would be important for you to know: on Monday, when Mark is laid to rest, that the flags over the Capitol will be flown at half staff.  That's barely a stun, but it is done to say ‘Mahalo' to the family for sharing Mark with us, ‘Mahalo' to him for his leadership and service to our country, and ‘Aloha' to our dear and precious Mark.  Thank you."