REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE
NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF
TRANSPORTATION
U.S. COAST
GUARD EVENT HONORING U.S. SENATOR INOUYE
WASHINGTON,
D.C.
SEPTEMBER 19,
2002
Thank you for that introduction, Admiral Collins. It is truly an honor to be here today to recognize Senator Daniel Inouye, who is not only a great American, but also a great friend.
As an American of Japanese ancestry, I know how critical the Senator’s leadership has been to our community over the years. And as an American, I know that the strength and the security of this Nation have been immeasurably enhanced by the Senator’s decades of public service.
Dan Inouye’s personal history embodies the best in this Nation — despite the tremendous obstacles he has overcome in serving it.
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, like all Americans of Japanese ancestry, his loyalty was called into question.
But even at the age of 17, Dan Inouye had no doubts about his allegiance. He jumped on his bike and answered the call to tend to the wounded.
When he turned 18, he joined the U.S. Army. While serving in Italy, he was shot in the abdomen, both arms and a leg before he was finally stopped by enemy fire.
He returned home a captain with an honorable discharge and a Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest award for military valor, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with cluster and 12 other medals and citations. But it wasn’t until June of 2000 that the Congress finally upgraded his Distinguished Service Cross to a Medal of Honor.
Senator Inouye has spent a lifetime successfully achieving progress for America.
He was a critical figure in the drive to gain statehood for the state of Hawaii. When some questioned whether a territory that was overwhelmingly Asian or Pacific Islander could be a true part of this Union, the heroism of Dan Inouye and his fellow Hawaiians served as the answer.
He was the first American of Japanese ancestry elected to Congress, and the first Japanese American elected to the Senate.
He is a leader of the Japanese American community, to be sure. But equally important, his is the kind of leadership that has made America the great nation it is today.
We are here to celebrate one particular contribution — his unwavering support for the United States Coast Guard.
That support dates back to the beginning of his career as Hawaii’s first Member of Congress, and makes him the perfect candidate for this Coast Guard recognition today. He has always worked to strengthen the armed forces, and enhance the quality of life for military personnel and their families.
Like me, Senator Inouye understands the important role the Coast Guard plays in defending our shores. Every single day you save lives, improve safety, protect our marine environment, uphold our immigration laws, and seize illegal drugs before they reach our shores.
As if that were not enough, you are now called upon to do all of this in an environment of unprecedented danger in America’s War on Terrorism.
I am sure Senator Inouye joins me, President Bush, Vice President Cheney and a grateful Nation when we say, “Thank you.”
Today, I am also pleased and honored to be here to say, “Thank you,” to a man who helped pave the way for me, and my own career in public service. May we always have people like you, Senator Inouye, to show us what true patriotism is all about.
It seems perfectly appropriate that one American hero from an earlier war, today receives well-deserved honors from the soldiers in our latest war.
As the Coasties say: Bravo Zulu. Congratulations. God bless you, and God bless America.
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