Remembering Senator Daniel Inouye

This morning I joined my colleagues in remembering the extraordinary career and life of the late Senator Daniel Inouye as he lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C.— an honor bestowed only 31 times in United States history.

Daniel was a remarkable and historic member of the United States Senate. He was a champion for Civil Rights at home and abroad, and he was a mentor to me in my early days in the Congress.

Daniel was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service during World War II as a member of the United States Army 442nd Regimental Combat Team, at the time composed almost entirely of American soldiers of Japanese descent during who had volunteered to fight in the War. Today, the 442nd is considered to be one of the most decorated infantry regiment in United States history.

Upon his passing Daniel leaves a remarkable legacy. He is the highest-ranking Asian American politician in U.S. history, the second longest serving senator in U.S. history, and has the distinction of continuously representing Hawaii in the U.S. Congress since it achieved statehood in 1959.

I join the country in mourning his loss—not only as a colleague and United States Senator, but as a great friend and mentor. He will be missed.