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Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, a member of the Watergate investigating committee, questions witness James McCord during the hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on May 19, 1973. Inouye, the influential Democrat who broke racial barriers on Capitol Hill and played key roles in congressional investigations of the Watergate and Iran-Contra scandals, died of respiratory complications, on Dec. 17. He was 88.
Daniel Inouye, a World War II combat veteran and the most senior senator in the U.S. Senate, died Monday of respiratory complications. He was 88.
His last words were "Aloha," Hawaiian for hello and goodbye.
Inouye, a Democrat from Hawaii, was hospitalized a week and a half ago at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he said he was working with doctors to regulate his oxygen intake. Around the Capitol, Inouye had been seen with a portable oxygen supply.
He is survived by his wife, Irene Hirano, and son, Daniel "Kenny" Inouye. Kenny is his son with Margaret Shinobu Awamura, to whom he was married for 56 years until her death in 2006.
Inouye had served in the Senate for 49 years, since 1963. At the time of his death, he was the longest-living serving member of the Senate. The late Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia is the only senator who has served longer, for 51 years.
Hawaii became a state in 1959, and Inouye was the state's first Congressman. He also became the country's first Japanese-American Congressman.
He was also hospitalized on Nov. 15 after falling and cutting the back of his head. A statement released by his office spoke to the senator’s apparent dislike of being hospitalized: “The U.S. Army Captain and World War II combat veteran wanted to put a bandage on and come to work but his family insisted he get it checked out.”
Medal of Honor recipient Dan Inouye became the longest-serving senator, having served nine terms after first being elected in 1962. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
He was hospitalized the day before Pearl Harbor Day. Although ailing, he honored the day as he does every year, this time through a press release remembering his time as a Japanese-American teenager in Hawaii. He wrote:
In 1941, the date December 7th was a day that evoked anger, fierce patriotism and dangerous racism. Soon after that day, I suddenly found myself, pursuant to a decision by the government and along with thousands of Japanese Americans declared 4C, enemy aliens. It was a difficult time. I was 17.
Born to working class parents, Hyotaro, a jewelry clerk, and Kame, a homemaker, Inouye dreamed of being a doctor, according to the Washington Post, plans that were sidelined by the war. He was a second-generation Japanese-American, or nisei, and he wrote that it pained him that those who dropped bombs on Hawaii looked like him.
Inouye was 17 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the 442 Regimental Combat Team, according to a statement on his website. He lost part of his right arm while he was charging a series of machine gun nests in San Terenzo, Italy.
"I looked at it, stunned and disbelieving. It dangled there by a few bloody shreds of tissue, my grenade still clenched in a fist that suddenly didn't belong to me anymore," Inouye wrote in his 1967 autobiography, "Journey to Washington," according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
After the war, he was nominated for the Medal of Honor but did not receive it. President Bill Clinton later bestowed the honor on him and 21 other Japanese-Americans for their courage during World War II, according to the Star-Advertiser.
He attended the University of Hawaii and received a law degree from Georgetown University.
As a lawmaker in D.C. in 1973, Inouye sat on the panel that investigated the Watergate scandal, according to the Post. He was apparently so frustrated by the testimony of a top White House aide that he whispered, “What a liar!” into a microphone that turned out to be hot.
Later, the aide’s lawyer referred to Inouye as, “that little Jap,” a comment that generated outrage, according to the Post.
Throughout his tenure, D.C., Inouye allied himself with the late Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, a Republican, and proudly proclaimed himself the "No. 1 earmarks guy," in Congress, according to The Associated Press. He championed an older tradition of politics -- one that embraced bipartisanship and compromise.
Responding to his death Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement: "No matter what barrier was in his way, Danny shattered it. ... Danny was an icon in his native state of Hawaii and a tireless advocate for the disenfranchised, minorities and women throughout the country. He spent his life working for a brighter future, and we are all better off for it."
Former Sen. Bob Dole wrote touchingly about a man he called one of the Senate's "giants."
"Never once do I recall his being critical of another colleague - Republican or Democrat," Dole wrote. "Danny and I saw service in World War II where he lost an arm and where I had other difficulties. When we left the hospital, we eventually became United States Senators and he was always telling his friends that I talked him into it. I don't recall it, but if Danny said it was true, that was good enough for me."
NBC's Kelly O'Donnell contributed reporting.
Leave a Comment:
condolences to the family..........a great personal loss.......on the other political side, well you can guess....
Sincerely,
Rest in peace, and thank you for your service to the country, Senator.
And as Rick said above, we need term limits, and I think, age limits, for elected officials.
Most Americans vote based on O i heard of him. Not on thier credentials.
Did not agree with his politics, but I have the highest repect for the man, The senator and all those who served with him in 442 Regimental Combat Team deserve our highest praise.
Folks, while I agree we need term limits, this is not the proper forum to discuss term limits
Aloha 'Oe dearest Senator Inouye, we will all miss your wisdom, compassion and leadership here in Hawaii nei. You have served this state with honor and dignity for 54 years and we were all blessed to have you as our leader and mentor for so many years. Mahalo for everything you did, not only for Hawaii, but for your country too! God bless you Senator and rest in peace with God in heaven.
Dont_mess_with_texsas, your an ass! To think the way you do , and say something like that shows they grow big jackasses in Texas. Dan Inouye served this Nation with Pride and Dignity. He did not even like being on the committee that investigated President Nixon and Watergate. He knew what a precedent it would have been to convict a President. You Texsas has shown what is wrong with the Republican Party today.
Don't stop mainstream media...this is another good opportunity to introduce the idea of an assault weapons ban!
I do not think term limits were specified by our founding fathers, as Derrick states. I believe they were instituted after the Roosevelt presidency.
The Senator served the country well and since I am 86 and have "all my marbles" I see nothing wrong with older citizens remaining in office, as long as they can make intelligent decisions.
Many Senators that are much younger do not seem to be able to do so, but are self serving and narrow minded.
While I was working at the Pentagon right after the attack, he came to visit. I was assigned as his escort. He was kind and understanding. I had been working since the actual attack and had not slept of gone home. He put his good arm around my shoulder and told me it was going to be ok. He was the only person to tell me that I believed. God rest his soul!
I wish I knew who he was
Kyle,
Do yourself a favor and look up a biography of the senator. You'll be impressed by a courageous and honorable man.
- Edge
Although I didn't always agree with his political views, Senator Inouye was a statesman, scholar and most of all, an honest and honorable man. This conservative from Idaho is not too big to admit that sometimes it takes a liberal to remind me of my humanity. May God bless his soul throughout eternity.
Even though I never had the pleasure of meeting you, goodbye Daniel, it was an honor sharing the Good Earth with you.
- Edge
Well said Edge.
88, not only to we need term limits, how about age limits. Talk about a career politician.
And if there were stupidity tests, Bob, you and Derik wouldn't be allowed to post here.
rwsgate,
Thank you. You seem to be a nice person.
- Edge
Is anyone surprised some 88-year-old octogenarian has died while a sitting Senator? Hello, this man has been in office for 49 years and only added to the demise of the United States while making him one of the richest in the Senate. It’s disgusting.
Personally I’m happy this old crow is dead and now finally cannot be re-elected to office.
Someone please tell me what at 88 year old has in common with anybody. That’s right NOT A DAMN THING.
These senators that are elected and die in office is what is wrong with out election process. Term limits should be mandatory and 2 terms as any public official should be the limit.
Rob R and Coocoolarue,
What ignorant, childish asses you are.
- Edge
Hey Edge, not ignorant, just truthful. Of course most of you sheeple don't want to hear the truth.
Rob R,
I am a VERY conservative man from Idaho. I am not a "sheeple". I am, however, intelligent enough to know that in order to make an informed decision I must listen to both sides of an issue. The senator and I did not agree a lot of the time. A thinking man can appreciate those who do not agree with him. A child will never understand that concept.
- Edge
Edge, there aren't both sides of an issue. There is their side and the correct side. He spent 49 years voting for laws that are not Constitutional while enriching himself and making a life long career out of it. I thank him for his military service, but not for his political service. He is part of the problem we have in this country. As a conservative, I would think you would know that difference.
Rob,
The difference between the two of us is, I think for myself. You just swallow the party line. I trust neither major political party at face value. I question everything. It appears that you just do as you're told. I would waste more of my time trying to explain that concept to you, but it would be a waste of my time.
- Edge
RIP: Senator Inouye . . . thank you for your years of military and civilian service.
As for the haters . . . if it wasn't for the 'safety' an anonymity of sitting behind your computer, you wouldn't write 99% of what you do. Still, God forgives you.
You lost the election . . . your party is irrelevant. Please move FORWARD!
RIP Mr. Senator. As someone previously wrote, you were a true American who knew the art of compromise. Your wisdom as well as your presence will be sorely missed.
A very distinguished record of service from Senator Inouye. In these times that quite uncommon.
Sorry to hear of his passing. But should not have been work, in his line of busness that long, how could he have staid up with the modern times, 12 years is plenty for any one.
God Bless Him
David,
Perhaps if you learned to spell the English language (staid?) people would take you more seriously. A man of years and experience can contribute volumes, but a small-minded man contributes nothing. You are obviously young and think the whole future belongs to you. The Senator was older, and EARNED his place in the world. He deserves respect from all of us.
- Edge
He was a great Soldier and a Statesman. My condolences to his family. I do have to wonder why
To old to be serving.
Anything past 75 is questionable.
How many of these guys are there until they die of old age.
Aloha senator and mahalo.
This day should be for remebering thanking a great American for his service, not a debate on term limits.
It's not about term limits but age limits.
Do you think this guy had the energy to serve?
Or is congress moving so slow he just fit right in?
Now the Governor can sell his seat to the biggest bribe.
Opps I mean place the most qualified person.
Maybe Jesse Jackson has a cousin who will buy that seat.
Hawaii is a heavily Democratic state. I'm pretty confident that another Democrat will take his place. Oh, by the way, the governor, LInda Lingle, is a Republican.
Correct on Hawaii, is Heavy Democratic and Union Heavy State. 85% of the Hotels are Unionized.The Senator for Years kept the Budget cutter's for the Military from down sizing the Military in Hawaii.
His Unit 100th Bn 442 Inf. is the Only Combat Infantry Unit left in the Reserves.
Go For Broke Senator Inouye
Nevertheless it's time for term limits for all of them. 2 terms and time to get a job, if you can find one.
When are we going to have term limits imposed. Six years then you must work for a living. I'll never forget when Bill Gates and Microsoft was being grilled by the SEC and other entities and that idiot Strom Thurmond was as Gates very technical questions about computers and IT. It was painfully obvious someone wrote the questions down and Gates had to feel like he would have rather been water boarded, as the old goat had no clue. Six year term limit as well as age limits.
he should have been home enjoying retired life with his family... term limits !!!
Editors,
I think the Senator, in WWII, was "charging" a machine gun nest and not "changing".
an getting shot isn't a mishap.