Saiki, Patricia Fukuda (1930–)

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Saiki, Patricia Fukuda (1930–)

American politician. Name variations: Patricia Fukuda; Mrs. Stanley Mitsuo Saiki. Born Patricia Fukuda in Hilo, Hawaii, May 28, 1930; dau. of Kazuo Fukuda and Shizue (Inoue) Fukuda; University of Hawaii at Manoa, BS, 1952; m. Stanley Mitsuo Saiki, June 19, 1954; children: Stanley Mitsuo Saiki; Sandra S. Saiki; Margaret C. Saiki; Stuart K. Saiki; Laura H. Saiki.

After serving as a delegate to Hawaii State Constitutional Convention, was elected to Hawaii House of Representatives (1968); remained in Hawaiian House until 1974; served in state senate (1974–83); served as chair of Republican Party of Hawaii (1983–85); elected to Congress from 1st Congressional District (1986), the 1st Republican to represent Hawaii in US House of Representatives since the islands achieved statehood; during 2 terms in the House (Jan 3, 1987–Jan 3, 1991), served on Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs, Select Committee on Aging, and Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries; was instrumental in helping to secure authorization for additional land for the Kiluea National Wildlife Refuge, and co-sponsored the bill to provide compensation for Japanese-Americans interned during WWII; became director of the Small Business Administration under President George Bush.

See also Women in World History.