[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 21, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5479-S5481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE RECEIPT OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR BY SENATOR DANIEL K.
INOUYE
Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, during World War II, countless
individuals distinguished themselves while serving this fine Nation.
However, few displayed the valor, leadership, and selflessness as our
colleague Daniel K. Inouye and it is with much admiration
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that I congratulate him on what this afternoon will be a deserving
receipt of the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the
highest medal awarded by the United States and is reserved for those
who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, at the risk of their
own life, to perform a deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice.
We have recently reached a point in U.S. history which has left only
a handful of Americans who can personally recount the events that took
place during World War II and even fewer who fought in this effort to
free Europe from the plague of Nazis. Though history books attempt to
give younger generations insight into the valiant deeds and the
countless deaths which occurred during the Second World War, no words
can convey the emotional tragedies and triumphs felt by the men and
women who participated in this campaign.
At the age of seventeen, Dan Inouye embarked on a life of public
service. Using his knowledge of first aid, he volunteered to treat the
earliest casualties of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This marked the
beginning of Dan's exemplary service to his country. After turning
eighteen, he enlisted in the United States Army's 442nd Regimental
Combat Team.
On the fateful day of April 21, 1945, outside a small town in Italy,
Lieutenant Inouye made a decision which would change the course of his
life. As he led his platoon of the 2nd Battalion up a ridge, they were
confronted with heavy machine-gun fire, striking Lieutenant Inouye in
the abdomen and barely missing his spine. Rather than risk the life of
one of his men, the injured young officer went up against
insurmountable odds, and crawled alone farther up the hill into the
nest of machine guns. He struggled to stand up, pulled the pin from his
grenade, and destroyed the closest group of machine guns. He continued
up the hill, bleeding from his wounds, and struck the second enemy
position.
Upon reaching the third machine-gun position, Lieutenant Inouye
attempted to throw a grenade, only to have his right elbow shattered by
an enemy rifle grenade. However, this did not stop the determined
lieutenant. Using his good left hand to throw the final grenade, he
destroyed the enemy's position. He continued to fight until he was
struck by a bullet in the leg, and though in excruciating pain, refused
to be evacuated until his men were deployed in defensive positions. He
eventually spent 20 months in hospitals after having his right arm
amputated, and returned home a Captain with a Distinguished Service
Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart with cluster along with multiple other
medals and citations.
In my long life, I have met few men who have displayed the
extraordinary courage, disregard for self, and devotion to their
country as Senator Dan Inouye. And though Dan gave above and beyond
during his participation in World War II, he continued to serve this
fine Nation through public service upon his return to the States. His
commitment and concern for the welfare of others is reflected in his
service in the U.S. Senate, and I feel honored and privileged to have
the opportunity to serve with such a remarkable individual.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I personally appreciate the Senator from
South Carolina recognizing Senator Inouye. I have not served in
Congress nearly as long, of course, as the Senator from South Carolina,
but during my term in Congress, which is now 18 years, there is no one
that I have more admiration for than Senator Inouye. He has been like a
father to me in the Senate. He has been an adviser and a confidant. He
is someone for whom I have the deepest respect.
I have followed, as have others, his war record. And that is what it
is; he is certainly a warrior. The outline that was given by the
Senator from South Carolina of Senator Inouye's extraordinary deeds is
dramatic, but it did not cover everything that Senator Inouye did on
that day of valor.
I think it is wonderful that finally Senator Inouye is going to be
recognized, as he should be, with the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Senator Inouye has many stories to tell. I hope someday they are
told. During the time he spent in the hospital with Senator Dole, their
friendship developed. That is one of the friendships that has served
the American people well.
Even though Senator Inouye lost a limb, he does remarkable things. He
plays the piano. One of our colleagues has a broken arm, Senator
Hollings. With his wit and with a lot of humility, Senator Inouye asked
Senator Hollings who had tied his tie that morning. Senator Hollings
said he had had help doing that. Senator Inouye ties his tie himself
with one arm.
Senator Inouye is someone who has not only been valiant on the
battlefield in Italy but he has also been valiant on the battlefield in
the Congress of the United States, having served in the U.S. House of
Representatives and having served in the Senate.
I had the good fortune to come to the Senate and be placed on the
Appropriations Committee, and I was able to watch this master
legislator in action. He is someone who doesn't talk a lot, even though
he is an extremely fine speaker. But he is a good legislator; he gets
things done. I have watched him maneuver bills through the legislative
process as no one else can.
Mr. President, I am so grateful that he is being recognized today.
There will be a ceremony at the White House where he will be given this
long overdue award. Having this award is only part of what this man
deserves. I want to spread across this Record how much I and everyone
in the Senate--Democrat and Republican--respect and admire this great
legislator and this great soul.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I compliment the distinguished assistant
Democratic leader for his remarks. I wanted to come to the floor to
associate myself with his eloquence and his heartfelt expression
regarding this important moment in the life of one of the most
respected and revered U.S. Senators today.
At long last, our country will recognize the valor, the courage, and
the extraordinary commitment that one man made to his country now over
50 years ago.
I know I speak for all of our colleagues--frankly, all of the
country--in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to him, our admiration
for him, and the extraordinary pride we have in the knowledge that we
served with him.
Senator Dan Inouye is not only an extraordinary Senator and great
American in this day of the dearth of the hero; we find the true hero
in Dan Inouye. There ought to be more role models in our country today.
But if one looks to the Dan Inouyes, you don't need many more.
I have admired him for the kind of person he is, for the kind of
model that he has been, and for the extraordinarily unique and very
remarkable way in which he represents his State and all of the people
he serves so well in the Senate.
The people of Hawaii can be very proud of their delegation. They can
be very proud of their senior Senator, and on this day in particular
they can be very proud of this country in recognizing the remarkable
achievement for which this unique leader has now been recognized.
So we congratulate Senator Inouye. We congratulate him not only on
being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, but we congratulate him
for his lifetime of service to his country--not only in the military
but here in the Senate as well.
I yield the floor.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I am delighted to speak on behalf of
Senator Daniel K. Inouye, a man who has distinguished himself in the
House and now in the Senate for more than 40 years. He is also a man
for whom I have tremendous respect and regard as a truly national
leader on a wide range of issues. Later today at a White House
ceremony, Daniel Inouye will be awarded the Congressional Medal of
Honor by the President.
This memorable occasion is one that has been much anticipated and
long
[[Page S5481]]
overdue. I have had the honor and opportunity to serve with Senator
Inouye in Congress over the past 14 years, and we have worked side by
side on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs over the past 8 years.
On many occasions, I have witnessed his courage and leadership in
standing up for serious issues and problems that have affected all
Americans including our collective national defense.
These qualities and traits can be witnessed throughout Senator
Inouye's life, career, and his service in the United States Army during
World War II. I would like to recount for those unfamiliar with the
experience of Dan Inouye and the ``Go for Broke'' regiment a brief
history of the heroics and commitment to his men and the United States
during his service in the 2nd Battalion, 442nd ``Go for Broke''
Regimental Combat Team in the War.
In April of 1945, Army 1st Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye, was leading a
platoon of the 2nd Battalion, when it came under fire from a bunker
manned by Italian Fascists fighting for their Axis partners the Nazis.
There was no cover on the hill, so Inouye crawled up alone to scout. As
he was taking out a hand grenade to destroy the first position, he was
hit in the abdomen by a bullet which came out his back, barely missing
his spine. Although wounded, Inouye was still able to pull the pin out
of the grenade and run to within five yards of the nearest of the three
machine guns, and throw the grenade inside the position. He continued
to lead the platoon and advance alone against a machine gun nest which
had his men pinned down. He tossed two hand grenades with devastating
effect before his right arm was shattered by a German rifle grenade at
close range. With his left hand, he tossed his last grenade and
attacked the Italian Fascists with a submachine gun. Then he was hit in
his right leg and fell down the hill. Inouye refused to be evacuated
until his men were deployed in defensive positions.
First Lieutenant Inouye spent 20 months in Army hospitals after
losing his right arm. He returned to Hawaii as a Captain with a
Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart with cluster,
and 12 other medals and citations.
After graduating with a law degree from George Washington University,
he entered politics, and after Hawaii became a state Dan Inouye won
election to the United States House of Representatives as the state's
first Congressman. He was reelected to a full term in 1960 and won
election to the United States Senate in 1962. Mr. President, I cannot
fully express to you or others the deep respect I have for this man, to
the leadership he has provided to this country and the sacrifices he
has made during these accomplishments. Senator Inouye continues to
inspire admiration and respect among all who serve with him--
Republicans and Democrats alike. Dan Inouye is a leader and hero to
Americans across the country and a man that I am proud to consider my
colleague as well as my friend.
I am pleased that the President has chosen to recognize his service
and bestow upon such a deserving man as Dan Inouye the Medal of Honor.
It is my hope that young people around our country will look to Dan
Inouye and his many traits and accomplishments--Army officer,
Congressman, Senator--and realize as he does that first and foremost,
he is an American. In this regard I would like to quote Major General
Jacob Devers, Chief of the Army Field Offices, ``These men . . . more
than earned the right to be called just Americans, not Japanese
Americans. Their Americanism may be described only by degree, and that
the highest.''
I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to my dear
colleague, Senator Daniel Inouye. Today, Senator Inouye receives the
Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic service to our nation. This
honor is richly deserved--and long overdue.
Senator Inouye's life is one of service and patriotism. He began his
service when he was just seventeen, leaving his home in Honolulu to aid
wounded civilians on the day of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As
a Japanese American, he faced bigotry, resentment, and outright
persecution. Even while facing this discrimination, he withdrew from
his medical studies at the University of Hawaii and enlisted in the
Army as soon as Japanese Americans were permitted to serve.
Stationed in Italy with the war's end nearing, 2nd lieutenant Inouye
led his men into his final battle. Though he was shot and his platoon
was pinned by gunfire, he continued on alone. Bravely he tossed two
hand grenades before his right arm was shattered by a German rifle
grenade. He threw a final grenade with his left arm before another shot
in the leg forced him to retreat. It is for this tremendous act of
courage that Senator Inouye receives this long overdue honor.
Senator Inouye is being honored for his courage in battle. We also
know that Senator Inouye's service to our country extends far beyond
his bravery in war. When Senator Inouye was elected to the United
States House of Representatives in 1959, he was the first American of
Japanese ancestry to serve in the House. Since 1962, Senator Inouye has
served with great distinction in the Senate.
Every day, we witness first-hand Senator Inouye's commitment to the
people of Hawaii and the people of the United States. He is a leader on
national security and international human rights. As a senior member of
the Appropriations Committee, he works tirelessly to ensure that we
meet the day to day needs of our constituents--and the long term needs
of our nation. Since my earliest days on the Appropriations Committee,
I've learned from Senator Inouye--particularly in the area of defense
policy.
Even in a war filled with heroes, Senator Inouye's heroism was
extraordinary. It is with deep respect and affection that I offer my
most sincere congratulations to Senator Inouye for being awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey is recognized.
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