Today is all about jobs, which is only right, given the state of the economy. But over the long term, America's true success is measured not just in Wall Street numbers, but also by our progress in the areas of fairness and justice, the realm of civil rights. Whether unemployment is rising or falling, we can't overlook the ongoing struggle to live up to the ideals upon which the nation was founded.
Congresswoman Mazie Hirono has always had her eyes on that prize, and she frequently pays homage to civil rights heroes - those who have defended and supported victims of unfair discrimination - such as Saint Damien, Reverend Abraham Akaka, and Congresswoman Patsy Mink. A Georgetown-trained attorney, Hirono has said it's important to learn from our history - the triumphs and the failures - to provide justice today.
In the 19th century, Saint Damien cared for Hansen's Disease patients who - because of social stigma - were unfairly taken from their families throughout Hawai`i and sequestered in a remote part of the Island of Moloka`i.
Rev. Akaka emboldened civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama in 1965 in a vivid expression of the Aloha Spirit.
Congresswoman Mink, whose seat Hirono now holds, spearheaded enactment in 1972 of the landmark Title IX legislation to ensure that girls and women receive the same educational funding as their male counterparts.
Hirono presents Father Clete Kiley with a flower lei in Selma for the 2009 Congressional Civil Rights Pilgramage to Alabama (photo by Chris Eichler).
Please follow me below for some examples of how Hirono has honored these heroes and for a look at her own likely civil rights agenda during her current campaign for U.S. Senate in Hawai`i.
Saint Damien
When Saint Damien was canonized two years ago for his selfless work for patients at Kalaupapa, Moloka`i, Hirono represented the United States at the commemorative mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Brussels, Belgium. She also led a lei ceremony at the Saint Damien Statue at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. and introduced a resolution to honor the canonization. Hansen's Disease patients - then known as lepers - were ostracized in Damien's time. If you don't know his story of Damien's tolerance and compassion for the patients, please take just a few minutes to hear Hirono's informative and impassioned floor speech:
Rev. Akaka
Distressed at the violence of the first Selma march ("bloody Sunday") and impressed at the determination of civil rights marchers to get to Montgomery, Rev. Akaka of Hawai`i sent flower lei to the march leaders as a symbol of solidarity and peace. Through this gesture, some of the most iconic images of the civil rights movement were created as the march was completed on the third try in March 1965. In addition, Hawai`i's bond with the Mainland civil rights community was solidified. Joining her colleague John Lewis in Selma to commemorate and re-create a portion of the march two years ago, Hirono had the honor of reprising Rev. Akaka's role by delivering flower lei to her fellow participants, including Rep. Lewis. Some new iconic images - and personal bonds - were created.
Lewis with colleagues and supporters in '09, pausing for reflection at the peak of the Edmund Pettus Bridge (photo by Chris Eichler).
Rep. Mink
Hirono calls Mink her mentor and inspiration. She was also one of the most groundbreaking politicians in U.S. history, as documented in Kimberlee Bassford's "Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority." Title IX was officially re-named the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act after her death in 2002. To honor and further Mink's accomplishments, Hirono co-founded the Patsy T. Mink PAC to give the next generation of women leaders a boost in their political careers. Hirono is trying to do in the 2012 election what Mink failed to do in 1976: become the first woman of Asian ancestry elected to the U.S. Senate.
Hirono's civil rights agenda
Based on Hirono's record in Congress, it's reasonable to expect she'd look for opportunities to advance these civil rights causes in the Senate:
Equal treatment for Filipino veterans -
As you know, Filipino veterans are those that honorably answered the call of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and served alongside our armed forces during World War II. They fought shoulder to shoulder with American servicemen; they sacrificed for the same just cause. We made a promise to provide full veterans’ benefits to those who served with our troops. And while we have recently made appreciable progress toward fulfilling that long-ignored promise, we have not yet achieved the full equity that the Filipino veterans deserve.
Federal recognition for Native Hawaiians -
How we treat our native indigenous people reflects our values and who we are as a country. Clearly, there is much in the history of our interactions with the native people of what is now the United States that makes us less than proud. The American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, all indigenous people, have suffered at the hands of our government. But one of the great attributes of America has always been the ability to look objectively at our history, learn from it, and when possible, to make amends.
LGBT employment equality -
As an original cosponsor of the original ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act), I am glad to be able to have this opportunity to debate the Baldwin amendment to include anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals. I stand with Congresswoman Baldwin in her courageous fight to provide for the inclusion of a group that is probably the most in need of workplace protections. I look forward to continuing to work with her and our likeminded colleagues in any effort to . . . provide employment protections for gender identity through future educational and legislative initiatives.
Equal Rights Amendment -
During these challenging economic times, the Equal Rights Amendment is more relevant than ever. Women in Hawai‘i still make just 69 cents for every dollar a man earns for performing the exact same work. There is no justice in that.
DREAM Act -
I have listened to numerous stories in Hawaii about young adults who came to the islands as children and are now facing the nightmare of deportation. The DREAM Act gives those undocumented young adults who work hard and meet the strict requirements the chance to become legal residents.