September 15, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5513 but overwhelmingly, with well over 180 says, if you are judged too dangerous have 5 days in which to revise and ex- votes, in my view, we would support. to fly on our airplanes, you ought to be tend their remarks and to include ex- I give that information, Mr. Speaker, too dangerous as well to buy weapons traneous material on the subject of my to the majority leader so that he will to injure people in our country; we Special Order. know that in the event we have not re- think you are too dangerous to go on The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there sponded in the CR that I believe the an airplane and that you might injure objection to the request of the gentle- Senate-passed legislation incorporated people in that fashion. woman from Hawaii? into a House bill and brought to the I would urge, Mr. Majority Leader, There was no objection. floor can pass on suspension and may Mr. Speaker, before we leave before the Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, we are well even be able to pass on unanimous election, two things, that we bring holding this Special Order today to consent. I don’t know that that is the those to the floor and we carry out— honor our colleague and friend, Mark case, but it certainly could pass on sus- and I want to repeat again because I Takai. Many of our colleagues are here pension. I would urge him to consider think it is important. Speaker PAUL to share their own memories and re- that as an alternative available to us RYAN said on October 29, 2015, just a membrances of our friend. to respond so that we do not have the year ago: ‘‘We will not duck the tough In Hawaii, the word ‘‘aloha’’ holds a situation which we had in July of leav- issues; we will take them head on . . . very special place in our hearts. It is a ing town for 7 weeks without having we should not hide our disagreements. word that we use every day to say hello addressed this crisis that confronts the We should embrace them. We have and good-bye, but, in saying that word, health of our people. nothing to fear from honest disagree- we are actually conveying a much Mr. Speaker, let me indicate that we ments honestly stated.’’ deeper meaning. In the deepest and tru- have a number of other pieces of legis- Mr. Speaker, I share that view. I est sense of the word, aloha means I lation that I would last like to ask the think the bills that I have mentioned— come to you with an open heart and majority leader about. There are ru- Flint, opioids, gun violence, and cer- offer you my deepest respect, love, and mors that our schedule is going to be tainly Zika, and, yes, there are oth- care. It is a word that describes a way over in the next few weeks. I don’t ers—ought to be brought to this floor, of life. Living aloha brings people to- know. The Senate was planning on and the House ought to work its will. I gether regardless of their unique back- going presumably to the first week of would hope that in the next few days grounds or things like age, race, reli- October. I don’t know that they are that are available to us that the major- gion, or social class. going to do that. We are planning to go ity leader, Mr. Speaker, gives careful This open heart, this spirit of aloha, to the end of September. consideration to bringing those pieces is what I think of when I think of my There are a number of other pieces of of legislation to the floor. colleague, my fellow soldier, and my legislation which I think need to be ad- In the gun violence case, the polls re- friend, Mark Takai, because he carried dressed. We continue to be very con- flect that over 85 percent—and in one this aloha spirit with him wherever he cerned about our failure to respond to case over 90 percent—of Americans sup- went. He shared it with everyone that the Flint crisis. The mayor of Flint port those pieces of legislation. They he came into contact with. was in my office yesterday. They are would pass, Mr. Speaker, overwhelm- During a celebration of Mark’s life still drinking bottled water because ingly. The only reason they haven’t held in his hometown of Pearl City on passed—the only reason they haven’t the water in their pipes that is being Oahu just a few weeks ago—this is the passed—contrary to the statement that delivered to their homes is still unfit community that he served for over 20 we will not duck the tough issues, said for human consumption unless a filter years as a State legislator—I heard by Speaker RYAN just about a year ago, is in place and unless that filter is from one of Mark’s high school teach- the only reason they haven’t passed is working efficiently and effectively. We ers named Mike, who shared her because they have not been brought to really need to, I think, help on that. amazement that not only was Mark a With respect to opioids, we passed a the floor. I would urge, Mr. Speaker, great student, not only was he an all- piece of legislation that was, Mr. the majority leader consider that. American swimmer, but he would Mr. MCCARTHY. I thank the gen- Speaker, a bipartisan piece of legisla- spend his free time doing things like tleman for his advice. tion. We continue to believe, however, Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield organizing voter registration drives the resources to carry out the policies back the balance of my time. and get-out-the-vote parades in his included in the authorizing bill need to neighborhood, encouraging his commu- be addressed. f nity to make sure that their voice was Lastly, Mr. Speaker—I mentioned ADJOURNMENT FROM THURSDAY, heard. this before—we continue to urge that SEPTEMBER 15, 2016, TO MONDAY, As a student at the University of Ha- in light of the scourge of gun violence SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 waii at Manoa, Mark was a leader in America that we take up two bills Mr. MCCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask among his peers, one of whom is here sponsored by the former chairman, Re- unanimous consent that when the today, our colleague, Congresswoman publican chairman of the Committee House adjourns today, it adjourn to TAMMY DUCKWORTH. He served as presi- on Homeland Security. They are not meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, September dent of the Associated Students of the Democratic bills, although Democrats 19, 2016, and that the order of the House University of Hawaii at Manoa, was a support the bills and are cosponsors of of January 5, 2016, regarding morning- champion on the varsity team for 4 the bill, but they are PETER KING’s hour debate not apply on that day. years, and was editor in chief of the bills to provide greater safety. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. campus newspaper, Ka Leo O Hawaii. First of all, Mr. Speaker, we have MOONEY of West Virginia). Is there ob- I recently had an intern in my dis- adopted the premise that background jection to the request of the gentleman trict office who is a part of ASUH, and checks are a good thing. We require from California? he told me about how the University of background checks. The problem is, we There was no objection. Hawaii student government members don’t require background checks in f today tell stories of the legends of every instance of a transfer of a weap- Mark Takai’s courage and leadership on from seller to buyer. The problem REMEMBERING THE LATE as student president, taking on dif- with that, of course, is if you want to HONORABLE MARK TAKAI ficult issues like sexual harassment buy a gun for a nefarious purpose, one The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under and assault, resulting in his being sued would assume you are not going to go the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- by the University of Hawaii professors and have your background checked. uary 6, 2015, the gentlewoman from Ha- union. But no matter the challenge, You will find some other way to pur- waii (Ms. GABBARD) is recognized for 60 the difficulty, or the obstacle, the leg- chase that gun. We would hope that minutes as the designee of the minor- ends are true; Mark Takai never bill would be brought to the floor. ity leader. backed down. The second bill that Mr. KING has, of GENERAL LEAVE At age 27, he was elected to the Ha- course, seems to us to be a very reason- Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I ask waii State House of Representatives, able piece of legislation, which simply unanimous consent that all Members representing his hometown of Pearl

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He cared about doing what was his and Sami’s love for all things Dis- All of the stories and remembrances right, especially for his fellow service- ney, showing me the memorabilia they we will hear today I think capture the members in the military. brought home from the Disney parks essence of Mark, his heart for service, As we remember Congressman Takai they visited around the world, and his spirit of aloha, his love for God, his today, I hope we all continue to honor sharing copies of the cookbook he dis- love for his family, and caring and his memory and aloha spirit through- tributed throughout his Pearl City dis- sharing aloha with everyone. out the end of our own service. Let’s trict, always making time, always To our colleagues here today to share all honor him by practicing a little ready with a helpful tip and a helping their memories of Mark, thank you for more of the aloha spirit every day. hand. opening your hearts as we honor and Let’s remember to represent our con- In 2014, after a hard-fought campaign, remember and say aloha to our dear stituents, to care about each other, and Mark came here and joined us in Con- friend. to do what is right. That is what Mark gress, representing the First Congres- To Mark’s staff, thank you for being always did, and that is what he would sional District of Hawaii. While here, strong, for serving Mark and our State want us to do. he served on the Committee on Armed of Hawaii, and continuing to serve the Mark was a role model for us all, in Services, as well as the Committee on people of Hawaii through this difficult and out of Congress. Our thoughts, Small Business, working hard always, time. prayers, and love are with his family. Ms. GABBARD. I yield to the gentle- putting first and foremost his constitu- Finally, I would like to recognize Mark’s family, who have just arrived woman from Guam (Ms. BORDALLO). ents. Even after he was diagnosed and Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise here in the gallery. I would like to rec- going through treatment, he was al- to honor and celebrate the life of my ognize Mark’s wife, Sami; his children, ways there attending his committee good friend, Congressman Mark Takai Matthew and Kaila; his parents, Erik hearings, doing things that no one real- of Hawaii. ly expected he would do. and Naomi; and his siblings, Nadine, Mark was a fierce advocate for the I was amazed, during our annual Nikki, and Ross, all of whom have been people of Hawaii and was a champion of NDAA marathon markup session that incredibly generous in sharing their issues important to the AAPI commu- often lasts over 16 straight hours, Mark time and opening their family to all of nity. Prior to his two decades as a rep- was there in the wee hours of the us, to people across the State of Ha- resentative in the Hawaii State House, morning passing out the Hawaii-made waii, and yesterday during the beau- Mark briefly lived in Guam, my home, chocolate macadamia nuts to our col- tiful and historic service that was held and attended school there, which leagues. in Mark’s honor. helped to inform his perspectives on I want you to know that you were al- For 17 years, while simultaneously the unique challenges affecting the ter- ways with him wherever he went. He fulfilling his responsibilities as an ritories. elected official, Mark also served as a was always speaking about you proud- Here in Congress, Mark was an em- citizen soldier in the Hawaii Army Na- ly. You were the light of his life. bodiment of the aloha spirit. I worked tional Guard, where he earned the rank Mahalo, Mark, for the lasting impact with him on a number of issues impact- of lieutenant colonel, deployed to Ku- that you had on all of us, for sharing ing Guam, Hawaii, and the Pacific re- wait in support of Operation Iraqi your aloha with us, and for dedicating gion. As a member of the House Armed Freedom, and served as president of the your life to the service of others. Services Committee, I truly appre- I yield to the gentlewoman from Hawaii Army National Guard Associa- ciated his insights and views, espe- Florida (Ms. GRAHAM). tion. Because Mark had a master’s de- cially his experiences as lieutenant Ms. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I thank gree in public health, he came into the colonel in the Hawaii Army National the gentlewoman for loaning me her lei National Guard as a direct commis- Guard. sioned officer. What this meant in and hosting this Special Order in honor Mark’s passing creates a void in Con- practical terms was he didn’t have to of our colleague and friend, the late gress that cannot be replaced, but his go through basic combat training or Congressman Mark Takai of Hawaii. life and his legacy will forever live on OCS. I was fortunate to develop a very in all of us who knew him and in the close friendship with Mark, as we were b 1100 many public policies that he helped to part of the same freshman class elected enact to make life for all Americans When I came back to Hawaii from my in 2014, and sat next to each other on better. basic training in South Carolina, I was the House Armed Services Committee. On behalf of the people of Guam, I ex- assigned to our medical command, the In the panhandle of Florida, the area tend my condolences to his wife, Sami; same unit as Mark. He was a first lieu- I represent, we have an attitude toward his children, Matthew and Kaila; and tenant. I was a private first class. As I life we call ‘‘The North Florida Way.’’ the entire Takai family. was rendering him a salute, he would It means we care about public service, Mark, you will be deeply missed. As joke around, asking me to teach him we take care of our neighbors, and we we say in Guam: Un Dangkulo na Si how to render a proper salute and how do what is right. And even though the Yu’os Ma’ase, Mark. to march in a formation because he panhandle is about 5,000 miles from Ha- Ms. GABBARD. I yield to the gen- never got to learn those through basic waii, The North Florida Way is a lot tleman from California (Mr. TED LIEU). training. like the aloha spirit. Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Mark was incredibly proud to wear As we have learned here today, Con- Speaker, I rise to speak about my the uniform. He was deeply committed gressman Takai embodies the aloha friend, Mark Takai. to the National Guard, extremely ac- spirit. As a public servant, he stands as We came in last year in the freshman tive with the National Guard Associa- a role model for all of us. He first ran class together. Through various ori- tion both in Hawaii and here in Wash- for public office at 27 years old, and entation events, my wife, Betty, and ington, always looking to find ways to served 10 years in the Hawaii House of our children had the honor of getting support the institution and its service Representatives before coming to Con- to know Mark’s family, Sami, Mat- to our soldiers and airmen in Hawaii gress. At the same time, he was also thew, and Kaila. Having gone to his and across the country. serving in the Hawaii National Guard, beautiful memorial ceremonies in Ha- I have heard from so many of Mark’s where, over 17 years, he earned the waii and here, we had the honor of soldiers and peers in the Hawaii Guard rank of lieutenant colonel and served meeting Mark’s extended family. The who express disbelief that he is actu- in Operation Iraqi Freedom. grace and dignity with which they have ally gone and how much they truly val- Mark cared about his neighbors, rep- handled this has been tremendous. ued the time they spent with him and resenting the people of his State with I want to talk a little bit about served with him. distinction, and always cared about Mark. He was a joy to be around. He

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I know we all dearly miss Mark. I gave us a great opportunity to serve. All of us are deeply saddened that our know that when he said he is going to Mark believed strongly that every country lost Mark at such a young age, with be fine and is going to be in heaven, a child deserves a chance to learn in a surely many great achievements ahead. smile comes to my face when I think safe and nurturing environment. In my Losing a colleague is always difficult, but about Mark looking down at all of us own State, there are 52 Judy Centers with Mark Takai it was more than that—we and how happy he would be to see us named after my late wife, who died al- lost someone who had quickly become our here today. We all miss him dearly. most 20 years ago, that serve 3-and 4- friend, someone as warm as he was depend- Ms. GABBARD. I yield to the gen- year-old children. able, as jovial as he was wise. tleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER), Mark had that same kind of compas- My thoughts continue to be with Mark’s wife our esteemed minority whip. sion and concern and focus on making Sami and their two children, Matthew and Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank sure that young people received all Kaila. the gentlewoman for taking this Spe- that we could give them early in life so My heart goes out to them and to the peo- cial Order hour. that they could succeed later in life, as ple of Hawaii’s first District he served so ably. We are all sad and lament the fact Mark Takai did so extraordinarily. I also offer my condolences again to Sen- that an extraordinary human being I have other words that I will submit ators SCHATZ and HIRONO and Representative was taken from us far too early. I tell for the RECORD because there are so TULSI GABBARD, Mark’s colleagues in the Ha- my colleagues, this picture says it all: many of my colleagues who want to waii Congressional delegation, who worked that wonderful, warm, accepting, en- speak about Mark and their relation- closely with him every day. gaging aloha smile that is represented ship to him, their respect for him, their We will miss him dearly in the halls of Con- in this picture of our colleague, Mark love for him, and his love for us. gress, and I thank Representative GABBARD Takai. I thank Congresswoman GABBARD for for leading the effort to pay tribute to him in I join my colleagues in celebrating taking this hour, and I thank her for the United States House of Representatives and remembering a life well lived. being such an example. Both of you de- today. Though he only served alongside us in fine aloha. b 1115 this House for a short time, he made a God bless. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today in Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield big impact on us all with his kindness, to the gentleman from California (Mr. his sincerity, and his intellect. All of remembering the life of our friend, Represent- ative Mark Takai, who lost his battle against TAKANO). us admired the steadfastness with Mr. TAKANO. Mahalo to my col- cancer in July. which he fought for his constituents league from Hawaii, Congresswoman and the courage with which he fought Though he only served alongside us in this House for a short time, he made a big impact GABBARD, for the time. his illness. All of us saw Mark on this Mr. Speaker, on July 20, the world on us all with his kindness, his sincerity, and floor, determined to serve his constitu- lost a kind man, this Congress lost a ents for as long as his health allowed his intellect. All of us admired the steadfastness with great leader, and many of us here lost him to do so. which he fought for his constituents and the a very dear friend. As was said yesterday, Mark did not I didn’t expect to have this welling of greet us with any self-pity or any courage with which he fought his illness. Not only was Mark an outstanding member emotion. wringing of hands, but with a positive of Congress, he also served our nation in uni- Mark Takai represented everything attitude to the end. I wasn’t with him form. America wants in a public servant. He at the very end, but my, how we were As a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army was selfless, he was humble, and he was blessed to be with him for the short National Guard, he deployed on active duty to passionate about strengthening his time that we had him. What an exam- Kuwait in support of operation Iraqi Freedom, community and protecting his country. ple he set for all of us to overcome ad- and he earned the Army’s Meritorious Service He served 17 years in the Hawaii Na- versity and welcome opportunities Medal for his achievements there. tional Guard, including a deployment rather than focusing on that which he He drew on his experiences in the Army to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi could not do. and as a veteran when he served as chairman Freedom. When he came home, he Not only was Mark an outstanding of the House Committee on Veterans, Military, fought for the middle class and for the Member of Congress, he was, as has and International Affairs in the Hawaii Legisla- people of Hawaii. been said by his fellow officer, a war- ture and later as a member of the House He will be remembered by me and rior willing to serve, to risk, and to Committee on Armed Services here in Con- many of us here for his incredible spir- save this great country, its democracy, gress. it, which he bravely maintained and its people. A proud native of Hawaii, Mark dedicated through his illness. He will be remem- As a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii his life and career to the people of his beloved bered for his easy laugh, which brought Army National Guard, he deployed on state. joy to all those who knew him. And he Active Duty to Kuwait in support of Elected to the Hawaii House of Representa- spent a lifetime working to give a Operation Iraqi Freedom. He earned tives at the age of twenty-seven, he spent two voice to those who struggled to be the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal decades working hard to improve lives, heard. for his achievements there. strengthen communities, and bring jobs and If I may depart from my prepared re- We all are standing here to speak of opportunity to Hawaii. He championed edu- marks for a moment, I remember going the meritorious service he gave right cation and fought for better schools. to Hawaii for his unofficial swearing-in here. Yes, on the battlefield; yes, at the Mark believed strongly that every child de- in Honolulu with Leader PELOSI, and point of the spear; but right here as serves a chance to learn in a safe and nur- just seeing the outpouring of support well. He drew on his experience in the turing environment. from the people who elected him and Army as a veteran when he served as He stood up for Hawaii’s veterans and the great hope in such a new young chairman of the House Committee on worked to combat homelessness among those leader from the State of Hawaii, which Veterans, Military, and International who were coming home from war. has been going through great changes. Affairs in the Hawaii legislature, and Concerned about the dangers of climate Getting to know him here and watch- later as a member of the House Com- change and rising sea levels, Mark did more ing him, the losses that I feel are just mittee on Armed Services here in Con- than just support green energy through tax that he was so full of potential. He gress. credits; he outfitted his own house with solar loved Congress. He loved serving. He A proud native of Hawaii, Mark dedi- panels and drove an electric vehicle to show loved the potential to change this in- cated his life and career to the people others how easy it is to live sustainably. stitution into a better place. He

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Pennsylvania Avenue. he thanked me very much that we Third was how driven and competi- In fact, the President himself paid could share it. He loved food. tive he was. Don’t take that smile and tribute to Mark when he died. He said: I feel very lucky to have called him a that laugh to mean that he was a push- ‘‘Michelle and I were saddened to learn friend. I will miss him very much. over. He was absolutely driven to rep- of the passing of Representative Mark Thank you. Mahalo to you, Mark resent his region and to do his job ef- Takai. Takai, for having been my friend. fectively. He would quiz me on the poli- ‘‘Mark was always a fighter,’’ the Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield tics of my district, asking me ques- President said. ‘‘It’s the spirit he to the gentleman from California (Mr. tions about my race and giving me ad- brought to more than two decades of AGUILAR). vice. He would talk about his own race public service on behalf of the people of Mr. AGUILAR. Mahalo, Ms. and races in the past, and it was clear Hawaii. GABBARD. I appreciate the gentle- that he wasn’t a pushover when it came ‘‘He stood up for America’s most vul- woman from Hawaii yielding to me to to politics and fighting for his commu- nerable. He championed our troops and talk about my colleague and my friend nities. veterans, and proudly wore our Na- Mark Takai. But he always had a plan, and that tion’s uniform. And his relentless push As I stand here in aloha attire, I am wasn’t ever more evident than when he for cancer research inspired countless sure my colleague would admire my stayed on the floor just about the en- Americans fighting the same battle as dress, yet shake his head at my tie. We tire day, State of the Union Day 2015, him. do love our rules here in Congress, but to get a prime seat for the State of the ‘‘Simply put, our country is better even the Speaker acknowledged yester- Union. I still have the photo—I looked off,’’ the President said, ‘‘our country day that Mark continually talked with at it last night—of him directly behind is better off because of Mark’s con- him about the need to embrace the Leader PELOSI. She was next to Whip tributions. He leaves a legacy of cour- aloha spirit and to maybe, just maybe, HOYER, and he is beside JOHN LEWIS. age, of service, and of hope.’’ relax our rules occasionally. Mark was a freshman, sitting right Michelle and he said: ‘‘Our thoughts Like many in our class, I met Mark there within camera-shot, wearing his and prayers are with Mark’s wife, during freshman orientation in Decem- lei, and he wanted everyone back home Sami, their two children, and many ber of 2014, when we were both elected. to know he had arrived. It was bril- friends and family.’’ Instantly, all of us gravitated to him. liant. Many of the friends and family are He was easy to love. The last point was about his family. here today: Sami, of course; Matthew As I reflect on the impact that he He truly loved his family and his faith. and Kaila; his parents, Mark’s parents, had on me, I am struck by four key As fathers spending a significant Erik and Naomi; his sister, Nadine; her things that you will continue to hear amount of time away from our two husband, Ronnie, and daughter Nelani; my colleagues share in their stories. kids, we talked about them often, how his sister, Nikki; his brother, Ross; his First was his pleasant attitude, de- proud we were of them, how much we father-in-law, Gary Kai; and all of the meanor, smile, and his full-hearted missed them, and how we used tech- people of Hawaii who may be watching laugh. He had a deep concern for his nology to try to fill the void in commu- this, certainly all of our colleagues. colleagues, even as he battled his ill- nication. Attending weekend sporting He was effective from the start, I ness. I can’t tell you the number of events for swimming and soccer for think, because he was such an experi- times he would sit right up here and we Matthew and Kaila, even if it meant enced legislator, 20 years in the Hawaii would talk about the bills and the traveling and being home for only 30 Legislature, and that made him, with issues of the day, and I would try to hours, he wanted to do it. He wanted to his energy and as our colleague, Mr. be there. He wanted to be present. say something to make him laugh, and AGUILAR said, his competitiveness. Your dad loved you so, so much, and he would give that big smile and that Who but a competitive soul, and an he talked about you so, so often. full-throated laugh. He took a lot of Sami, I don’t know how you do it. imaginative one, would be bringing pride in that. I am not sure there is But he would comment on that. He leis—I guess it is lei, singular is plu- anyone in this Chamber who didn’t would look at me, and we would be ral—to Selma to match what happened enjoy spending time with Mark. He was huddled in the back back there, and he in the sixties, when Martin Luther just that special. would say: We wouldn’t be able to do King and our colleague JOHN LEWIS Second was his pride in Hawaii and of anything without our wives. And I said: wore leis in the march. And who but he his service in the military. Mark’s eyes Yeah, of course. We know that. He would, only a few weeks in Congress, never got bigger than when I told him says: No, no, no. I mean you should decide that all these hundreds of lei that my wife, Alisha, and I were going know that. You should send a text mes- would be sent from Hawaii for people to attend the 70th anniversary cere- sage or something to Alisha right now. to wear on the 50th anniversary of mony in Hawaii aboard the USS Mis- We spent a relatively short amount Selma. souri, with a bipartisan delegation led of time with him here in Washington, As I said yesterday in Statuary Hall, by Mr. FORBES. He was so happy that I D.C., but he touched our lives and was many of the Members were thinking, would get an opportunity to meet Ad- a source of strength and humor. I will ‘‘Why didn’t I think of that?’’ but that miral Harris, but also to see Oahu and always remember his spirit, his faith, is how Mark was. I don’t want to say to enjoy its beauty. and his commitment to his commu- competitive, but nonetheless. He was the best mayor Oahu never nity. As far as his seating here, Mr. had is the reality of the situation. Aloha, friend. AGUILAR, I was privileged to appoint Whether it was restaurants, beaches, Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield him as a part of the escort committee. hiking trails, military installations, he to the gentlewoman from California Because of the President’s origins in always had a suggestion of something (Ms. PELOSI), our leader. Hawaii, I wanted Hawaii to be rep- you should see and do. Ms. PELOSI. What a beautiful pic- resented on the escort committee; but We have to go—again, we can’t say ture of Mark. as you said, he exploited the oppor- the restaurant names. You have to go Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman tunity, and we were glad that he did. to ‘‘blank,’’ and he would tell you the GABBARD for bringing us together in I really wish that he were here, but I restaurant’s name that started with a this Special Order to salute a very spe- wish that everyone could have seen Z and he said was the President’s fa- cial person, our colleague, Mark Takai. him on our codel to Asia. Congress- vorite. And that turned into: Let’s go It is a solemn privilege for all of us woman MATSUI did, and others. We there right now. And so Sami and today to give voice to the sorrow of the were in Burma, Cambodia, Korea,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:30 Sep 16, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K15SE7.019 H15SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE September 15, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5517 Japan, Vietnam. We began in Cali- have so much in common, including a to find compromise where there often fornia, came to Hawaii to be briefed at shared heritage. seemed to be none, his sense of seeing the Pacific Command, to go on to Asia Mark’s heart was that of a public you as a friend with differences to and then come back through Alaska. servant. Always willing to do whatever work out and not as an adversary or an Now, here he was, a relatively new it took to best serve the people of Ha- enemy, and his commitment to making Member of Congress. This was like waii, Mark set an example for us all on sure we all found the common ground April of last year. He was in Congress how to put our communities above our- that so often eludes us. maybe 3, 4 months, but he was on the selves and serve for the betterment of He was here a brief period of time, Armed Services Committee, so he everyone. This includes his service in but he left his mark. Any of us may spoke with great authority because the United States Army National serve 2 years or 20 years or beyond. I this was a security trip as well as a Guard, during which time he served as don’t think each of us, though, will be values, human rights trip and our eco- a medical officer in Operation Iraqi able to say that we have actually left nomic interests trip. Freedom. our mark. I hope we will be able to. It So I said to him—getting back to Mr. I want to express my deepest condo- can be said about Mark Takai in his AGUILAR—I said to him: We are going lences to Mark’s wife, Sami, his two short period here that he touched every to begin in California with some brief- children, Matthew and Kaila, and wish single person who knew him. ings, and then we will go to Hawaii, for them comfort during this difficult I love you, Mark, and I miss you. I and then you will preside as we meet time. I know that they can take solace love his beautiful family. with the Pacific Command. So would in the fact that Mark was a great man Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield you like to join us in California? who will always be respected and re- to the gentleman from California (Mr. He said: Would I like to join you in vered not for what he did for himself, LOWENTHAL). California? I could be home with Sami. but what he did for others. Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I I could have a night with Sami or I I am grateful for the opportunity to thank Congresswoman GABBARD for could be with all of you in California. I talk about my friend, Mark. He will be giving us this opportunity to say a few will meet you in Hawaii. dearly missed. words about somebody whom we cared It was very clear that any chance he I thank Representative GABBARD. about and respected so much and who got he wanted to be with his family. God bless Mark, his family, and the brought so much joy and positivity to Certainly he, again, was part of the United States. this Congress. delegation. Only a few months in Con- Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield To his family—to Sami, to Matthew, gress, with such dignity, we forgot that to the gentleman from Pennsylvania and to Kaila, thank you for sharing he was a new Member of Congress. (Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE). him with us. It meant a lot to us. With great knowledge of our national Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsyl- The Hawaiian word ‘‘pono’’ means security, with great diplomacy in how vania. Mr. Speaker, I thank my col- righteousness. It is the idea that moral he conveyed his thoughts, and every league, Ms. GABBARD, for her very elo- character leads to happiness. It means place he went, he was beautifully re- quent words yesterday. All the speak- doing what is morally right and self- ceived. I wish all of you could have ers did a remarkable job in a ceremony less. It is the word that so captures my seen how, especially in Japan, where that was sad and poignant that really feelings about Mark Takai, and that is they took special interest to embrace captured the spirit of who Mark was. what we see here in this picture. him as a Japanese American Member In the Hawaiian Islands, there is a Too often our society takes the no- of Congress. word for family. Forgive my pronuncia- tion of public service for granted. Mark tion—being from Pennsylvania—if I was the embodiment of the idea of pub- b 1130 botch this, but I believe it is pro- lic service, an idea that he was so Everything he did, he did with excel- nounced ohana. Ask anyone who lived proud to take part in—first, in the lence. He died as he had lived: loved or grew up there and they will tell you military and, at the same time, also and surrounded by family and friends, it is more than a word. It refers to not continuing on in government. with great dignity and great courage. only your immediate family, but to ex- As I mentioned before in this House, He used his time well—used his time tended family and beyond, even to Mark was a force of positivity. He was well—and, again, understood what the strangers that you may not know. It is a leader who did not lead by force of opportunity of serving in Congress was, a very unique and strong bond amongst will, but he led by being humble. He and he made an honorable contribu- the Hawaiian people who live there. listened, he was effective at what he tion. His service here brought luster to I experienced that ohana firsthand did, and he always brought us great the Congress. when I met Mark and his family during warmth. It is a privilege to call him colleague our congressional orientation. Sami He was the embodiment of bravery for all of us, and an even bigger privi- and my wife, Jenny, immediately bond- first in his service to his Nation—our lege to call him friend. In the Hawaiian ed, as did Mark and I, and the way Nation—and then in his battle against way of family, he has bound us to- Matthew and Kaila played with our cancer. His passing is a great loss to gether. We are all family. I hope that daughter, Abby. his family, to Hawaii, for this Cham- the Takai family knows that they have I have many memories of that ori- ber, and our Nation. family always in the Congress of the entation and I actually was looking at Mr. Speaker, we have truly lost one United States. a number of the pictures last night re- of the good guys. Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield flecting on Mark, reflecting on the Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from American ceremony yesterday, and preparing for to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Samoa (Mrs. RADEWAGEN). today. BEYER). Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I As Leader PELOSI pointed out, this Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank rise today to celebrate the life of a picture of Mark really captures his Congresswoman GABBARD for sched- truly good and humble man. warmth, his spirit, and the way he ap- uling this Special Order. In the time I had the pleasure of proached life. It inspires me, and I Mr. Speaker, Mark was a special knowing Mark, I was able to call him think all of us, to approach each and presence in the freshman class of the not only a colleague, but also, proudly, every day with a smile on our face no 114th Congress. He brought his Hawai- a friend. matter the difficulties of the moment ian cheer to every room he entered, Mark and I came to Congress in the or the seeming difficulties that in the and I got to enjoy this perhaps more same class almost 2 short years ago. larger scheme of things might not than most because he was my fourth- Upon meeting Mark, I instantly knew quite be as difficult or as important as floor Cannon hallmate. that I had a new colleague that I could we take them to be. Early on, Mark decided that as talk openly to, and I knew that he In this political crucible that we call hallmates, our staffs should get to- would always listen with an open mind. Congress, Mark brought his personal gether and break bread. A Hawaiian We also shared a mutual love and de- sense of ohana to our body politic: his pizza party was born, and Mark burst sire to serve our constituents who also sense of understanding and willingness in with a hearty aloha and bearing

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:03 Sep 16, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K15SE7.020 H15SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H5518 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 15, 2016 gifts of chocolate-covered Macadamia ridiculous, that it didn’t matter, and sit. I would only go back when he was nuts and Hawaiian coffee. He regaled that what he was doing was going to be back here to vote. the staff with a few good stories, and it good for the environment and the Before his illness, we had planned to always seems that he led with his is- world regardless. I had no idea that I reserve adjacent military morale wel- land shirt, a lei, and an enormous smile was opening the door for years and fare recreation cabins at Barking wherever he went. years of conversations with Mark Sands missile range for a joint family Our hearts are with Sami and the where he would detail exactly how vacation. As he took a turn for the children. Mark will be sorely missed. much wattage he had sold back to Ha- worse, he actually came up to me on After Mark was diagnosed with pan- waii Electric from the solar panels on this floor and said he was sorry, he was creatic cancer, he was resolute, brave, his roof or how long he had been able sorry that he couldn’t keep our date and determined to do all possible to to go without having to recharge his with our families. The man was dying, battle a very difficult disease. But electric vehicle. and he was apologizing to me. That was months later, when it was clear that He was there when my husband con- Mark. Mark was dying, he seemed different to vinced me that we should ourselves buy Even as he was fighting for his life, me. He grieved for his children, for an electric vehicle and the conversa- as he was working to secure the future Sami, for his myriad friends, and per- tions the two of them would have for his two beloved children and the haps especially for all that he wanted about how important it was. It tried love of his life, he was concerned for to accomplish here in the people’s even this progressive Democrat’s pa- others. He sat through the entire House. tience. NDAA until 3:00 in the morning. When We never know when our time will But he was always also there for oth- we were exhausted and tired and didn’t come, and Mark’s life and death teach- ers. I think one of the greatest skills think we could make it, there was es us that we must make the most of that Mark had was to get others to join Mark, fighting cancer, a big smile on each and every day. Mark Takai was a him in his cause, whatever that was; to his face, flashing a shaka to everyone. superlative role model and a beloved get others to come and help share the I will treasure always one of our final friend. load, whatever the load needed to be. trips together to Israel where we vis- ited an Iron Dome battery together. God bless you, Mark, and all your Every time I went to Hawaii, whether Even as he was fighting for his life, he generations to come. it was on a family vacation or just to was concerned and working to ensure Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield visit my mom who, by the way, lived in that the security of our Nation and our to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Pearl City, his Hawaii district, he ally Israel was secure. DUCKWORTH). would say: ‘‘Tammy, I need you to do Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I I am so glad he made it here and that this. I need you to go to this middle he served. I am so glad that he made thank the gentlewoman. school and talk to these kids. Tammy, Twenty-eight years—1988—that is such a big difference in so many lives I need you to come do this. I need you here. But that was Mark. From the how long I have known Mark. As long to go to the University of Hawaii. I as I have known him, he always was time he was a young man to the day want you to go to the memorial. We that he left us, he was about service to the champion for the most vulnerable. need to talk and be there for the family We met at the University of Hawaii. He others. Thank you very much—mahalo of this fallen servicemember. Do you nui loa—Mark, for being my friend, for was the serious one—if you can imag- remember your friend from the Hawaii showing me how to be a better person, ine that—and focused. Guard?’’ It was always: ‘‘Tammy, we At the Ka Leo O Hawaii student and for showing me a better way to have got something to do.’’ serve. I miss you. I will never forget newspaper where he was editor, he in- you. Until we meet again—a hui kaua. vestigated sexual harassment at a time b 1145 Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield And do you know what? He made it when victims were routinely blamed to the gentlewoman from California and disbelieved. Perhaps that is not too so much fun that you always did any- (Mrs. TORRES). hard to believe because even today that way. You went, and you were better for Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I thank it, Hawaii was better for it, and the is happening, but almost 30 years ago, Congresswoman GABBARD. he stood up for the victims. constituency got the service of a man Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor We were there watching him as he who was never, ever on vacation, who the life and the legacy of my colleague, stood up and was sued by the very same never stopped. Mark Takai. I first met Mark when we union that later on became some of his One of the things that I think you were elected together. We were fresh- biggest supporters for his stance on have heard from other folks here was men, and we were going through ori- education. In fact, he brought millions just the pure joy of living that Mark entation. All of us were competing for back to Hawaii for education—work had—all the meals that we would eat. staff office space and competing on who that took not months or years, but He would show up, and you might just could get to class the quickest and who sometimes a decade of steady work. want to go get a sandwich someplace, could find their way from point A to He was worried about the education but you were always off for an adven- point B the quickest. We had a lot of of our military children who must fol- ture for a new restaurant or a better fun together, and we got to know each low their servicemember parents from place to eat. other through those brief few days. base to base. He wanted to make sure It was actually at one of those unfor- After we returned to Washington, we that they got good, continuous edu- gettable meals when he mentioned to were sworn in as Members of Congress. cation and did not lose out because me that he was interested in running I have a clear memory of how deeply their parents were serving our Nation. for Congress. The minute he said it, I Mark cared about his home State and Mark had so many aspects to him. knew that I was on board because he his family. Congress is a tough place, Some of it was funny, some of it was was perfect for this House. He was per- and Mark was even tougher. Mark and annoying, and some of it was so unique fect to be here to work on behalf of not I were competing for a subcommittee to him. But it was all part of what a just the people of Hawaii but for the assignment on the Natural Resources great person—a great human being—he people of the United States. He was au- Committee. He and I both wanted to was. dacious but gentle. He was crusading serve on the Natural Resources Com- I remember the months of emails and and firm. I couldn’t think of anyone mittee Subcommittee on Indian, Insu- conversations we would have long dis- who belonged here more. He had lar and Alaska Native Affairs that tance—I was in Illinois and he was in planned to serve for years, decades, oversaw the territories’ natural re- Hawaii—when he was about to get his gaining seniority to serve Hawaii. sources of Hawaii and Alaska native af- first Nissan LEAF. He was so proud he I miss him every day. He would sit in fairs. I got the spot, and Mark came would get the very first one on the is- that seat over there next to me in my marching into my office with chocolate lands, and then his annoyance when wheelchair. I don’t sit there now. I in his hand. He didn’t make an appoint- the commanding general of the Hawaii stopped when he could no longer be ment, by the way, and he had no staff National Guard got the first one and he here. It was too much to try to sit next with him. We were going to have a con- got the second. I told him he was being to the empty seat where Mark would versation, more of a spar over this

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:03 Sep 16, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K15SE7.021 H15SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE September 15, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5519 committee assignment. And over choc- REMEMBERING THE LATE And do you know what? He was our olate, Mark made me promise that his HONORABLE MARK TAKAI expert, and we were so proud of him beautiful home State of Hawaii would The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under throughout that whole trip. always be my priority, and I did. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- That is what I remember so much Mark created so many opportunities uary 6, 2015, the Chair recognizes the about him. He took responsibility, but for us to visit and get to know his gentleman from California (Mr. HONDA) he also understood the human side. Be- home State, the beauty that it offers for 30 minutes. cause on that trip, as we went through with its natural resources. He actually Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield to our official duties, there would be created a long list of people that I the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Mark always with a smile and a laugh should meet in order to fully under- MATSUI). and always trying to find a better place stand the needs of the island. I am Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank to eat, a place he had heard about from sorry, Mark, that I didn’t get to join Ms. GABBARD for bringing us together someone he met on the street, some you in Hawaii, but thank you for the here this afternoon. person who said: You have got to try opportunity to know you. I have to say that this is a special this little restaurant. Sami, thank you for sharing such a time here for all of us. I was sitting So sometimes after our official din- wonderful man with not only the fresh- here listening to all of the wonderful ners, he would say: Do you want to go men class, but with the entire member- memories of Mark. We are so privileged to this little restaurant that I just ship of Congress and the Senate. We to have known Mark. found? love Mark, we love you, and your fam- May I just say this: I have been in We would say: No, we don’t want to ily, and we are here for you. and around Congress a long time, and do that. Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I yield this is so highly unusual for an indi- But do you know what? He was a back the balance of my time. vidual, any individual, who has been Pied Piper. He was a Pied Piper, and we Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with here to have this kind of response. wanted to be with him. great sadness to honor a colleague and a Mark was special. Amongst our sadness We are going to miss him so much. friend, Congressman Mark Takai. that we feel here, we can’t help but He was a complete person. We love Even though I only had two short years to smile when we think about him. That him. We are going to miss him. work with Mark, that’s all I needed to gain a is what he did for us all the time. Let me just say this: Sami, Matthew, sense of his overwhelming passion for public I didn’t know Mark very long at all, Kaila, the family, we will never forget service. He served Hawaii as a state rep- but I feel like I have known Mark for- him. He touched us in a way that few resentative for 20 years, and defended our ever. He has been a joy to all of us. He people have. We love him, and we will freedoms as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Ha- is somebody that has come into our miss him. We love you, and we will al- waii Army National Guard. Mark honorably lives and grabbed our hearts in such a ways remember him. represented his constituents in the House of meaningful way. And he came to Con- b 1200 gress with a purpose. He said: Oh, he is Representatives, and was a model to those Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield to who put service to others before themselves. merely a freshman. Mark Takai was never merely a freshman. He came with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. He always talked about his wife Sami, and LOFGREN). kids, Matthew and Kaila. He beamed with ex- his commitment and his duty and his love of country wanting to do the best Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, so much citement when they were coming to visit or has been said about Mark today, I can’t when he was going back home. thing. His impact was immediate. He had repeat it all. But as I have been look- Mark was very humble—when he was curi- already been in the legislature and ing at this picture, I just find it hard to ous about something he didn’t hesitate to ask served in the Army National Guard. He accept that he is gone. questions. He was a fierce advocate for Ha- had experience. He understood what it You know, we meet each other here waii, small businesses, and veterans, and was meant to be American and to do the in the House. There are 435 people. We always thinking of ways to help. We are all right thing. He also understood what it don’t know each person who is here. We better for having known him, and he will be meant to be a loving father, a husband, tend to meet each other best when we missed. a son, and a wonderful sibling. He was serve on committees. I actually first Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the complete person. We don’t meet met Mark on the airplane, of course, honor and remember a friend and dear col- many of those people in our lives. And because each Member of the California league who was taken from us far too soon. when we do, we remember, we will al- delegation flies home to California Congressman Mark Takai was a true states- ways remember. every week. It is to be forgiven if Mem- man, public servant and an inspiration to each He demonstrated a selfless dedication bers from Hawaii or Samoa don’t go and every person who had the honor of know- to public service, to all of us, from a every week because, by the time you ing him. All of us in this Chamber are heart- young age, by being a State representa- get there, it is time to come back to broken by this loss. tive for two decades, and through his Washington, but Mark went home Throughout his life—as a National Guards- service to our country in the Army Na- every week. And I would get on that men, a leader in the Hawaii state legislature, tional Guard and in Congress for such a plane, and there he would be, because and as a Member of Congress, Mark epito- short time. he was so devoted not only to his con- mized what it means to serve. My memories of him are just so joy- stituents, but to his wife and to his He fought tenaciously to better the lives of ful because I watched his commitment. children. He needed to be with them his constituents, and showed courage and I went on that trip with Leader PELOSI every week. strength in the face of adversity. last April, and he was so privileged to Much has been said about this trip to Mark loved his family—his wife Sami and be a part of that group. As the Leader Asia. I was on that trip. And on these his children Matthew and Kaila. He wanted to said, we started out in San Francisco congressional delegations, spouses are make this country better for them and for ev- and then we went to Hawaii. We met invited to come to keep company with eryone who calls it home. many service people, and we were the Members. My husband was not able Mark was an example of what Congress meeting the military with security as- to come, and Mark’s wife was not able should be, and his legacy will live on through pects in mind. to come either, so we sat next to each his vision and unyielding commitment to Leader PELOSI said to Mark: Mark, other for that entire trip. I heard all bettering the lives of others. you are our expert here, you have about his wonderful wife and his won- My sincerest thoughts and prayers continue served, and you understand. derful children throughout that trip in to be with Mark’s family. I can only imagine And Mark said: Oh, yes, ma’am. Asia. the sense of loss they feel, because I lost a Then he turned to me after a while I have such precise memories of friend and there is a hole in my heart. and said: DORIS, I am just a freshman. Mark, as DORIS MATSUI has said. He We thank them for sharing Mark with us. I said: You are not a freshman; you was a freshman Member but someone May they find comfort in knowing that his im- know what is going on; and you can who was on the Armed Services Com- pact on the American people and the people stand up to the generals and everyone mittee, who had served in Iraq, who of Hawaii is indelible and will not be forgotten. else because you understand. was Active Duty Hawaii National

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