The United States Senate joined the U.S. House of Representatives in adopting a joint resolution (H.J. Res. 113) citing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as the "Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act." The Senate resolution, S.J. Res. 49, was sponsored by U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and fifteen of their colleagues.

"The resolution honors a remarkable woman and her accomplishments for equal opportunity and education by renaming after her a provision in law commonly known as Title IX that consists of few words but has had incomprehensible and tremendous positive impact on the lives of countless numbers of girls and women in our country," Senator Akaka noted on introducing the resolution.

"The 'Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act' will forever remind girls and women who participate in school programs, including athletics, of the petite lawmaker from Paia, Maui, who overcame the greatest of odds to enter the halls of Congress and revolutionize the way America educates its children and young people," said Senator Daniel K. Inouye.

Senator Akaka added, "As we honor our colleague, we can also recount some of the milestones in the 30-year history of Title IX and the efforts to establish standards of equal opportunity for women. The progress we as a Nation have made in 30 years has been remarkable, and we have Patsy and a few of her visionary colleagues to thank for the equal opportunities our children enjoy today."

The Senate action clears the resolution for the President's signature.