Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Democrat, has introduced the Patsy Mink Gender Equity in Education Act.

“This bill would provide more resources for schools, school districts, states, and institutions of higher education to fully implement the Patsy Mink Equal Opportunity Act, commonly referred to as Title IX – which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded educational programs and activities,” says Hirono’s office.

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY) introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The Patsy Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act transformed the educational landscape in our country with an idea that seems redundant today, but was profound at the time: that sex-based discrimination has no place in our schools,” Hirono said in a press release.

She added: “Forty-four years later, Title IX has opened doors for girls and women from access to higher education to sports. But we have more work to do. This legislation builds on Patsy’s legacy by expanding resources to see Title IX’s mandate through.”

The act would provide resources, training and technical assistance” to fully implement Title IX and reduce and prevent sex discrimination in all areas of education,” says Hirono’s office.

Mink, who died in 2002, represented Hawaii in Congress.

Meanwhile, Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, a Democrat, has joined Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in introducing “comprehensive legislation to reduce food waste in stores and restaurants, at schools and institutions, on farms, and in American homes.”

A press release from Schatz’s office says, “Forty percent of food across the food supply system in the United States is never eaten — damaging the environment, costing consumers money, and wasting an opportunity to reduce hunger.”

Said Schatz, “While many families across the country struggle each day to put food on the table, we are tossing safe and edible food because of the way it looks or the way it’s labeled. Our bill takes commonsense steps to help end food waste, feed families, and ensure our environment and food supply remain sustainable.”

The Food Recovery Act has been introduced by U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) in the House.

Among other things, it calls for reducing food wasted in schools by encouraging cafeterias to purchase “lower-price ‘ugly’ fruits and vegetables,” and by expanding grant programs that educate students about food waste and recovery.