R.I.P. Senator Daniel Inouye - 1924-2012 - Proud Son of Hawai'i

[ellisonz]

Daniel Inouye in 1963, Courtesy of the US Senate

Statement announcing Sen. Inouye's death
By Office of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye
POSTED: 12:46 p.m. HST, Dec 17, 2012
LAST UPDATED: 12:46 p.m. HST, Dec 17, 2012

United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye, World War II veteran, Medal of Honor recipient and Hawaii's senior Senator, passed away from respiratory complications at 5:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time today at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

His wife Irene and his son Ken were at his side. Last rites were performed by Senate Chaplain Dr. Barry Black.

He is survived by his wife, Irene Hirano Inouye, his son Daniel Ken Inouye Jr., Ken's wife Jessica, and granddaughter Maggie and step-daughter Jennifer Hirano. He was preceded in death his first wife, Maggie Awamura.

Senator Inouye's family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for the extraordinary care he received.

The story of Dan Inouye is the story of modern Hawaii. During his eight decades of public service, Dan Inouye helped build and shape Hawaii.

Senator Inouye began his career in public service at the age of 17 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He served with 'E' company of the 442 Regimental Combat Team, a group consisting entirely of Americans of Japanese ancestry. Senator Inouye lost his arm charging a series of machine gun nests on a hill in San Terenzo, Italy on April 21, 1945. His actions during that battle earned him the Medal of Honor.

Following the war he returned to Hawaii and married Margaret "Maggie" Awamura, and graduated from the University of Hawaii and the George Washington University School of Law.

After receiving his law degree, Dan Inouye, returned to Hawaii and worked as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. He recognized the social and racial inequities of post-war Hawaii, and in 1954 was part of a Democratic revolution that took control of the Territorial Legislature.

Following statehood in 1959, Dan Inouye was privileged to serve as Hawaii's first Congressman. He ran for the Senate in 1962 where he served for nearly nine consecutive terms.

Dan Inouye spent his career building an enduring federal presence in Hawaii to ensure that the state would receive its fair share of federal resources. He worked to expand the military's presence on all major islands, stabilizing Pearl Harbor, building up the Pacific Missile Range and constructing a headquarters for the United States Pacific Command.

He has worked to build critical roads, expanded bus services statewide and secured the federal funds for the Honolulu Rail Transit project. He championed the indigenous rights of Native Hawaiians and the return of Kahoolawe.

He fought for the rights and benefits for veterans. Senator Inouye has left an indelible mark at the University of Hawaii, including support for major facilities and research assets. He has long supported local agriculture and alternative energy initiatives.

Dan Inouye was always among the first to speak out against injustice whether interned Japanese Americans, Filipino World War II veterans, Native Americans and Native Hawaiians.

A prominent player on the national stage, Senator Inouye served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Commerce Committee and was the first Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

After developing a reputation as a bipartisan workhorse, who always would put country above party, he was asked by the Senate leadership to chair the special committee investigating the Iran Contra Affair. This was after a successful tenure as a member of the Watergate Committee.

When asked in recent days how he wanted to be remembered, Dan said, very simply, "I represented the people of Hawaii and this nation honestly and to the best of my ability. I think I did OK."

His last words were, "Aloha."

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/183853471.html?id=183853471

[Warpy]

1. While there were a few times in his career

when I wanted to shake him silly and demand to know what the hell he'd been thinking, overall, he was one of the good guys. He will be very much missed.

RIP, Senator.

[Cha]

2. Thanks for Senator Daniel Inouye's Bio, ellisonz

Last edited Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:56 PM - Edit history (1)

He's had an admirable career! Thank Goodness Mazie Hirono was just elected to carry on for Hawai'i.

Aloha, Senator Inouye

EDIT: I got that wrong.. Mazie Hirono is replacing Senator Akaka from Hawai'i. I just read that Gov Abercrombie will appoint someone to fill in for Senator Inouye and there will be a special election in 2014.

Hawaii, like most states, does not require a special election soon after a vacancy occurs in its U.S. Senate delegation. Instead, Inouye’s appointed replacement will serve until 2014, at which point a special election will determine who serves the final two years of Inouye’s term.

The state Democratic Party must provide a list of three possible replacements, from which Abercrombie will make his selection. State law also requires that the appointee be of the same party as Inouye, though that wasn’t likely to be an issue given Abercrombie is also a Democrat.[/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/12/17/gov-abercrombie-to-appoint-inouyes-replacement/

[indepat]

3. Much gratitude to those who served in the 442nd and as Tuskegee Airmen: the service

of all, not just Medal of Honor recipients, was well beyond the call of duty considering their collective mistreatment by their government.

[ellisonz]

5. You're welcome!

It will be interesting to see how the seat plays out. No Charles Djou or Linda Lingle *finger-cross* !

[Cha]

6. It will be interesting.. I've been wondering.. maybe you know..

If Gov Abercrombie does appoint Colleen Hanabusa to the Senate to fill in for Senator Inouye, what will happen to her US Rep seat? Will he appoint someone for that, too?

And, most definitely.. No Djou or Lingle!

[DinahMoeHum]

4. ". . .one last embrace, ere we depart, until we meet again. . ."

- Aloha Oe

Patriot, Soldier, Hero, Public Servant.

Rest Well, Senator Inouye. Well Done.