[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

[[Page S5480]]

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

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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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