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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:
RIP Senator, you are a inspiration, and it is sad to see such a good statesman go, perhaps one of the last sane voices in government now silenced.
On a side note, i dont believe there should be term limits, if the people of a state seriously like the way someone is running affairs they should be allowed to be in the senate.
on a third note, @Rick in the Forest
Ratifications to the constitution aren't actually voted in by the people, they are introduced and then approved by Congress, FDR was one of the US's greatest presidents, and the people elected him 4 times with little to no opposition because americans were very happy with the way FDR ran the government, FDR in fact didn't want to run for a 4th term due to health issues (he had Polio) but the people voted for him anyways, the 22nd amendment is now in place to prevent anyone one person or political party to have complete control over the presidency for a extended period of time...i think we should abolish the 22nd amendment and allow the people to choose their president for as many times as they are satisfied with the administration
FDR's 4th term was irrelevant, his 3rd term was the inexcusable one.
Should have stepped down in 1940, pre WW2 (our involvement).
I read a book on the Kennedys which made it sound as though FDR (the closest thing the US ever got to a Socialist dictator) was already planning to run for a 3rd term in 1938.
WW2 was just the excuse. We were well out of it when he decided to run for a 3rd term.
Pragmatic Brit
We already have term limits it's the ballot box and it scares the beejeesus out of the T'Bagger's they know they can't win except in the hick "red" States. The ones that suck up more welfare than the "blue" but no one ever accused Baggers of being intelligent, for good reason.LOL!
Democrats are the majority on welfare in blue and red states. Black Democrats, for example are the majority on welfare in 9 of 13 Southern red states.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/resource/character/fy2009/tab08
Republicans pay all the taxes, Democrats get all the handouts. That's why Romney won everyone making over $50K by 7 points, and everyone making over $100K by 10 pts.
http://www.cnn.com/election/2012/results/race/president
This is what you get cherry picking info and listening to Fox Snooze, remember I warned you Fox causes anal leakage.
Yet Mitt, wow another cowardly draft dodger, Robme lost big in the election. As an aside don't you Baggers have any vets in your cult or are you all just a bunch of children that hid under mommies skirt when your country called????????????? First Ted "the diaper" then Mittens "France was my mission" Robme, care to put another of your Zeros into the mix? Never met a republican that fought in Nam they all were cowards then and the trend continues today.
Notice the welfare that I am talking about was the greedy T'Bagger States. Not the TANF welfare Fox Snooze likes to focus on.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/04/the_red_state_ripoff.html
http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2004/09/red_states_feed.html
http://reason.com/archives/2011/07/14/the-redblue-paradox
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/jan/26/blog-posting/red-state-socialism-graphic-says-gop-leaning-state/
http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/08/americas-fiscal-union
Notice the chart and the greed of the red States.
If you can't understand try to find a "librul" school kid with crayons to draw you a picture. ROFLMAO!
LOL Hey Hsthoney,, the 7th fleet misses your flip "lady",, you like how we taste??
Ke Akua pu a hui hou
Dan Inouye was a real democrat, and one of the very last. Now, with the passing of Ted Kennedy, Robert Byrd, and Dan Inouye, we've got 1 real democrat left in the Senate - Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey. When he dies, all we'll have left is 2 parties that are both the enemies of the people - the only difference being the republicans are honest bastards, and the democrats are dishonest bastards.
"real Democrat" translated here as born before 1930.
I definitely agree that the post 1960's Demoncatic Party is a bunch of far left, traitorous, evil scum.
I'll buy that argument.
They all suck.
Did you notice that not one of you retards gets any rec's? What a bunch of vile POS's. Take your hatred somewhere else.
Retards. Wow.
You are the mature one.
Theres the "We want corporations to rule" Republicans and the "Lets let corporations rule" Democrats, doesn't matter how you slice the cake, both partys are backed by corporations, the democrats slightly less so.
"Don't mess with texas" You pupule r-neck, check your history... The 442nd "Go for broke"... helped rescue the Texas Batallion, "Lost batallion" WWII, what have you done, or are doing for America. Aloha ke akua Kaniela! Mahalo nui loa.
You pupule r-neck.
LMFAO
how about "red neck pimple"? that better? C'mon people - whilst some may be fingering mommy's computer, TRY to keep your heads screwed on straight. let the nit-whits babble to their hearts content
RIP good Senator. Your remembrance deserves much better than the posts some cave-dwellers are leaving on this thread. I'm posting a proper tribute on Facebook. :(
Aren't you special.
and then by inference, YOU AREN'T, eh?
I think there is something wrong with these old people who think they have to remain in a position for the rest of their lives despite the fact that most are completely out of touch with reality of today's world. Do they really think that someone else, much younger, is incapable of doing the job? Do they really have that high opinion of themselves, that only they can accomplish what is needed?
Another senator for life is Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who will continue spewing his asinine stupidity until he dies.
Death. It seems the only way we can remove people from places they should have left long ago on their own.
Tea Party blames Conn. killings on teachers, unions and sex
Mike Hukabee blames the killing in Conn. on "No god in schools" and abortion bills.
Here we have a story of a man who served this country all his life. He's been to battle for our freedom. Yet, what respect do Republicans show him? Take a look at some of the statements so far. You judge.
When you take the human quality out of the equation, it's easy not to be human.
RIP good sir. Thank you for all that you have done to make our country a great country.
The Demoncat rank and file are low, low sewer rats who do much worse, so you can't blame the Repubs for responding.
Clean up your rotten party, then point fingers.
Take a look at the crazy, if not insane statements by YOUR political leaders. America knows Republicans act vile, ugly and hateful. Lies fly out of Republicans so fast, the facts get over looked because you all follow emotion instead of logic. Your statement proves it. So, add ChestyPuller to a non-human category. All of us know those who need to belittle a dead person, couldn't even come close to being the human that person was. It's a cheap shot made by small minds. People who do not respect their own selves.
A Democrat saying Republicans follow emotion not logic.
Hahahahhahahahahahahahaha
hahhahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahah
hahahahahhaah
Ok, Mr. "War on Women" hahahahahahahahhahahahah.
You can always tell when Republicans are "short" on words. It shows instantly.
Well it's a little boring repudiating Democrats' usual leftist projections of what you do onto rightwingers (vicious personal attacks, brainless emotionalism behind all your policies, etc etc).
Boohoo, you do much worse.
And for crying, pathetic, hysterical emotion-driven people, Democrats take the cake. Constant fake racism charges, an invented War on Women to whip up the mind-numbingly stupid, deranged cattle that make up most of your voters, etc etc. All heavy on the emotion, light on the facts.
And the "offended" stuff all the time. Boohoohoo, you're so offended. The right gave you back some of what you dish out. Boohoohoo.
Now, I guess Limbaugh was business programming his minion army this morning. You all wouldn't know a fact from a lie if the fact hit you upside the head. What's amazing about you Republicans is that you all say the exact same things. No one differs. No one questions. No one lets another Republican fall in a debate while he is being beaten by facts over his lies. The Republican Party is responsible for every title it been labeled whether it's racist or bigot. You know it. We all know the truth. No matter how many times you choose to repeat the same old lies.
Aside from "NO!" what has been the REPUG position on virtually EVERYTHING LATELY?
Apparently that position hasn't CHANGED (of course, that was the HOUSE position - the SENATE didn't GET anything worthwhile to consider)
POT meet KETTLE, chest thumper (BTW - I remember Thumper - he was a character in BAMBI. HE GREW UP... what's YOUR EXCUSE?)
Oh - but they did try to pass some bills relating to religion didn't they?
I knew yay. No, really I knew this senator Inouye.
Ok I lied.
Another of our truly great American heroes has left us. RIP Senator Inouye. And thank you so very much for all you did and tried to do for us.
A great example for all Americans. Well done, Senator Inouye.
A good Democrat Liberal is a dead Democrat Liberal, and all Politicians, also I blind folded him with Dental Floss and he jumped off Diamond head!
Your comment has bad taste all over it. You didn't make yourself look good. You made yourself look disrespectful, intolerant and racist. Only other racists will like your comment.
I am a troll, It was bait and you took it!
I hope you get banned. Good person to put on ignore.
you dont have to answer back , why do you lol!
the banning will be tomorrow since Sally/ Taylor have gone home for the day...
IF you are going to commit vine suicide, why not just kill your own account rather than making a fool of yourself?
Why is it, that the government and business want to lay off or force anyone over the age of 50 to retire and if you do get laid off no one wants to hire anyone over 50, but geez these guys keep their job til they died! OMG what is wrong with this picture.
What's wrong is a total lack of respect for experienced Americans by those who have no experience or years to back up their ignorant words. That is what is wrong with this picture, Carrie. How old are you? Under 30 I would guess.
- Edge
One of the Great Ones....thank you for your service, Senator.
Sir, I salute you for your service to our country
Mahalo Senator. RIP. Your service to your country in WWII will be remembered. My grandfather had two brothers serve in the 442 division during the war. They faced prejudice at home, but fought bravely on behalf of the country. Thanks again Senator, and God Bless.
Senator Inouye, you were a great man. RIP. Thank you for protecting our freedom.
Thank you sir for all the wonderful years of service to America. God Rest. And a huge Aloha upon you arrival.
My deepest condolences to the senator's wife and son. America lost a good man today. Senator Inouye was a member of the WW2 generation who along with the Revolutionary War generation are the finest America ever produced. These two generations won all of our rights on the battlefields. I think that post WW2 americans will re-learn that civilization and a constitution are not entitlements when the dollar collapses very shortly.
all you smokers should take heed. once the damage is done and you need supplemental oxygen to keep your levels up in your blood its just a matter of time before you are room temp. while the senator lived longer than most, i have seen people in their early 60s on oxygen and its not pretty watching them die like that.
He was misdiagnosed with lung cancer so they removed his lung in the 60's. Smoking was never the issue.
I shall light an incense, for the Honorable Daniel Inouye.....
Aloha Sir. The nation will be forever thankful for your service. RIP ALOHA
Aloha to one truly of a kind. For his kind who were there, so we could be here. ALOHA
What a somber day for our state of Hawaii, as well as our great country, the United States of America. The Honorable Senator Inouye will be greatly missed, yet his legacy and all of his accomplishments will live on. Thank you Senator Inouye for all that you have done and stood for.
With much Aloha.....
The reason he kept on getting re-elected is because the longer you serve in the senate, the larger the pork back to the home state. Federal law requires employees retire at 65. Either the legal retirement age should be raised, considerably, or many senators and members of congress should go. What member of his family will get the seat? Hereditary?
The one with the biggest bribe.
Good Riddance you Liberal Bastard.
Mark Twain one said, "It is better to be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt". I think that ship has already sailed for you, Baldy. You need to remove the "intelligent" part of your moniker.