Senator Daniel Inouye
a Soldier
Volunteered to fight in WWII
A Leader
Served to US Senator
A True American
Awarded the Medal of Honor
IN MEMORY OF
US Senator
Daniel K. Inouye
Without question, the late US Senator Daniel K. Inouye is one of, if not the most well – known person from Hawaii. He has served Hawaii and the United States for most of his life as citizen, a soldier, and a politician. His name stands among and sometimes above the most famous of Hawaiians such as King Kamehameha, Senator Hiram Bingham III, and President Barak Obama. He had achieved much in his life and is rightfully known as an American Hero
Learn About
US Senator Daniel K. Inouye
He served 53 years as a US congressman and US Senator and has held many positions in the Senate including president pro tempore of the US Senate. He served on multiple committees. He championed Native rights and fought against corruption.
First Japanese – American US Senator
He was the first Japanese -American to be elected as a US Senator and was the highest ranking Asian – American until Kamala Harris became Vice – President
He Never Lost An Election
He served one term in the Territorial House of Representatives. He served two terms in the Territorial Senate. Served two terms in the US House of Representatives. Served nine terms in the US Senate.
Served 49 years in the US Senate
He was the longest serving politician from Hawaii . He was second longest serving US Senator after Senator Robert Byrd who served for 51 years.
Served as president pro tempore of the US Senate
as senior most US Senator In the majority party, he was elected as president pro tempore of the US Senate in 2010, making him third in the line of succession.
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Born September 7
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Served as a US Senator for 49 years
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Elected to the US Senate 9 times
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Died December 17, 2012 at 88 years old
OUR BENEFIT
US Senator Daniel K. Inouye
Senator Daniel K . Inouye accomplished many things in his 49 years in the US Senate, rising to become one of the most senior members of the US Senate. To the right are some of his notable accomplishments while in office.
01
Appropriated funds to build the USS Arizona Memorial
One of his first acts as a US Senator
04
Elected president pro tempore of the US Senate
Senator Daniel K . Inouye was third in the line of succession for the US president
02
Served on the Senate Committee for indian Affairs
Senator Daniel K. Inouye Was made an honoray member of the Navajo Nation
05
Senator Daniel K. Inouye was involved with the negotiations with North Korea and Iran.
The talks were meant to prevent them from acauirine nuclear weaoons
03
Served as Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee
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06
Served on the Senate Appropriations Committee
Released $7 million for the repair of the Arizona Memorial
” think it’s fair to say that Danny Inouye was perhaps my earliest political inspiration”
President Barack Obama
“one of the most remarkable Americans I have ever known.”
President Bill Clinton
“He was one of the most honorable men I ever met in my life, and one of the best friends you could hope for. He was honest, and fiercely loyal, and I trusted him absolutely.”
President Joe Biden
“He opened doors and made it possible for minorities like me, and later like President Obama and so many others, to serve at the highest levels,”
US Senator Daniel Akaka
“Sen. Daniel Inouye was an extremely effective senator. He was not partisan. He worked with everyone, and he never said a bad word about a colleague.”
US Senator Bob Dole
Praise for Daniel Inouye
What people said about Daniel Inouye
Daniel Inouye left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Many of his peers from both political parties had good things to say about him.
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Born
September 7, 1924
WWII
Served in the 442nd RCT
Awarded
The Medal of Honor
Service in WWII
Daniel Inouye enlisted in the US Army in 1943. He fought in Italy and France as a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. In France, he would be part of the fighting in the Vosges mountains, which would be known as the “battle for the lost battalion.” After the fighting in France, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. In 1945, during an assault on German positions in Italy, Lieutenant Inouye was seriously wounded. His actions during this engagement earned him the distinguished service cross. His wounds required the amputation of his right arm. The war was over for him. He was sent back to the United States to recover and undergo rehabilitation. His Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2000. After rehabilitation, he was discharged from the US Army at the rank of Captain.
Graduated
University of Hawaii law school
Graduated
George Washington University law school
Appointed
Assistant Prosecutor
His Early Political Career
After being discharged from the US Army, Daniel Inouye used the GI Bill to enroll in the law school at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He wanted to get into politics and felt that this was the best route. In his spare time, he volunteered at the Honolulu County Democratic Committee. After graduating from the University of Hawaii, He moved to Washington, DC., to continue his education at George Washington University. While there, he volunteered at the Democratic National Committee. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1952 and returned to Hawaii. He then began studying for the bar exam and volunteering with the Democratic Party. After passing the bar exam, he received an appointment to the office of assistant prosecutor for the City and County of Honolulu.
Elected
Territorial House of Representatives 1957
Elected
US House of Representatives 1959
Elected
US Senate 1962
His Early Political Career
In the 1954 election, he successfully ran for the seat on the Territorial House of Representatives. In 1957, Daniel Inouye was elected to the Territorial Senate. Halfway through his term, Hawaii became a State. He then won a seat in the US House of Representatives, representing the new US State. We won one re-election to this seat. In 1962, Daniel Inouye was elected to the US Senate. He would hold on to his seat in the Senate for the rest of his life.
Chaired
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Chaired
Senate Intelligence Committee
Certified Pilot
Senate Appropriations Committee
His Early Political Career
In the 1954 election, he successfully ran for the seat on the Territorial House of Representatives. In 1957, Daniel Inouye was elected to the Territorial Senate. Halfway through his term, Hawaii became a State. He then won a seat in the US House of Representatives, representing the new US State. We won one re-election to this seat. In 1962, Daniel Inouye was elected to the US Senate. He would hold on to his seat in the Senate for the rest of his life.
Funded
USS Arizona Memorial
Investigated
The Watergate Scandal
Negotiated
With North Korean and Iran
His Accomplishments as a US Senator
Senator Inouye was responsible for many initiatives over his long career in the US Senate. One of the first things that he did was to appropriate funding for the building of the USS Arizona Memorial. As chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, he introduced a bill that would lead to the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian. He appropriated funds for the repair of the dock for the Arizona Memorial. He was also involved in the Investigation of the Iran Contra affair and the Watergate scandal. He was involved in the negotiations with North Korea and Iran to get them cease their nuclear programs.
Elected
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Highest Ranking
Was the highest ranking Japanese-American in US history
Service
He served eight terms as US Sneator
A Lifetime of Service to Hawaii
Senator Inouye served eight terms as a US Senator from Hawaii. He was contemplating running for a ninth term at the time of his death on December 14, 2012. He had been elected as the president pro tempore of the US Senate, meaning that he was third in the line of succession for the US Presidency. He was the second longest-serving senator in US history and was the highest-ranked Asian-American until Kamala Harris became Vice-President.
Died
December 17, 2012
Memorial
His Funeral was in Washington, DC
Burial
Senator Inouye is buried at the Punchbowl Cemetery
His Passing Affected Many People
Many dignitaries attended the memorial services for Senator Inouye. He was highly respected by many of his peers from both parties. He was not only a revered statesman but also a hero who fought in the largest conflict in human history and won this Nation’s highest award. His funeral in Washington, DC, was attended by President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton.
Honolulu
The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is named after him
Navy
The USS Daniel Inouye DDG-118 is named after him
Hilo
The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy is named in his honor
Memorial for an American Hero.
Senator Daniel Inouye is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Located in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was buried alongside many others from his unit who also fought in WWII as well as his colleague Senator Spark Matsunaga who he served alongside during WWII and in the US Senate. His name is memorialized in several buildings throughout Hawaii, including the airport that bears his name.