U.S. Congressman Mark Takai of Hawaii Dies at 49 (x-post from LBN)

[Eugene]

Source: NBC News

JUL 20 2016, 3:57 PM ET

U.S. Congressman Mark Takai of Hawaii Dies at 49

by TRACI G. LEE

U.S. Congressman Mark Takai, who served as the representative for Hawaii's first district, has died, NBC News has confirmed.

Takai, 49, announced in May he would not seek re-election after recently learning that his pancreatic cancer has spread. Takai had planned to serve the rest of his term, which would have ended in January 2017.

On Wednesday, his office confirmed his death in a statement:

"Today, Congressman Mark Takai passed away at home, surrounded by family. Takai represented Hawaii's 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 114th Congress and spent 20 years serving in the Hawaii State House of Representatives. In Congress Takai served as the Ranking Member of the Committee on Small Business's Subcommittee on Contracting and the Workforce in addition to being a member of the House Committee on Armed Services."

The Takai family thanks the people of Hawaii for their support during this difficult time. Information regarding a service will be available at a later time. The Takai family politely asks for the continued respect of their family's privacy."

In a statement to NBC News Wednesday, Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), called Takai a "true patriot, public servant, and friend."

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Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/u-s-congressman-mark-takai-hawaii-dies-n613511

[tonyt53]

1. I've lost two friend to pancreatic cancer this year. That stuff is ruthless.

This guy was a real public servant!