[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 3461-3462]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATIONS TO SENATOR INOUYE

  Mr. STEVENS. Madam President, I would like the Senate to join my good 
friend from Hawaii in celebrating this day. Today is Senator Inouye's 
15,036th day in the Senate. That makes him the fifth longest serving 
Senator in the history of the United States. He has passed the record 
set by Senator John Stennis, who was previously the fifth longest 
serving Senator.
  Senator Inouye was sworn in as a U.S. Senator on January 3, 1963. 
Since that time he has cast 13,844 votes. Only four Members in history 
have cast more votes.
  During his Senate career, he has served with 355 of the 1,875 
Senators who have been Members of this body. This means he has served 
with approximately 20 percent of all Senators in U.S. history. I count 
myself lucky to be one of the many Senators who continue to have the 
privilege to work alongside my good friend from Hawaii, Senator Inouye.
  Congratulations, Senator.
  (Applause, Senators rising.)
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, I join my colleague from Alaska and all 
of our colleagues in congratulating our special colleague, Senator 
Inouye. It is not just the quantity of days he has served that makes 
him unique and special; it is the quality of the days he has served.
  Over these years, he has provided remarkable leadership not only for 
his State but for his country. He has inspired us and he has provided 
remarkable demonstrations of commitment to his country and commitments 
to his people in Hawaii.
  I was in ninth grade when Senator Inouye was elected to the Senate. I 
look back at all of those years since being in ninth grade, and I can 
only imagine what it must seem to him having served this number of 
years in the Senate. We wish him many more.
  I always admire Senators with longevity, but it is no secret why 
Senator Inouye has experienced his longevity. It is his respect, 
amazing dedication, and the extraordinary and remarkable way with which 
he conducts himself in public life that has earned him respect on both 
sides of the aisle. Senator Inouye, we congratulate you, we thank

[[Page 3462]]

you, and we are honored to serve with you.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I wish to join my colleagues in offering 
my congratulations to my friend and colleague, Hawaii's senior Senator 
and statesman, Dan Inouye, as he marks his 15,036th day of service in 
the Senate and becomes the fifth longest serving Senator in the history 
of our Republic.
  I am proud to serve alongside a true patriot and American hero, and 
to offer a few words recognizing his many contributions and commitment 
to public service. The people of Hawaii and our great Nation appreciate 
the leadership and direction he has provided, leadership which has 
bettered and strengthened our country. The scope of his contributions 
is matched only by his continued strong and effective leadership on 
behalf of our State, on behalf of our men and women in uniform, on 
behalf of Native Americans, and on so many other matters, in the 
Senate.
  I am certain I speak for all the people of Hawaii when I say thank 
you, Dan Inouye, son of Hawaii, for over four decades of exemplary 
service and commitment to our State and our Nation. We are very proud 
of our senior Senator. Thank you, Mr. President.
  Mr. BYRD. Madam President, on January 3, 1963, Daniel Inouye became a 
U.S. Senator. Today, 15,036 days later, he has become the fifth longest 
serving Senator in American history.
  This is yet another accomplishment in the life and career of a 
remarkable man and outstanding American.
  I must point out, however, that his has not been an easy or 
comfortable life. It has involved overcoming the trials and 
tribulations of immigration and discrimination.
  Still, his has been a life of service to our country. During World 
War II, he served our country in the famed 442d Infantry Regimental 
Combat Team of World War II, the most decorated Army unit in U.S. 
history. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze 
Star, the Purple Heart, and the Congressional Medal of Honor, making 
him one of only seven Senators to have been awarded our Nation's 
highest military honor. His war-time heroics have now been documented 
in the film, ``Daniel K. Inouye: An American Story.''
  His service to our country continued in the U.S. Senate where he 
became the first Japanese American ever to serve in the U.S. Congress, 
and served on the Senate Watergate Committee, the Congressional Iran 
Contra Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, and as Secretary 
of the Democratic Conference. I am pleased to point out that Senator 
Inouye will soon cast his 14,000th vote.
  Personally, I have always appreciated and respected his deep loyalty 
to the Senate and everything for which it stands. I will never forget 
his loyalty to me when I was the Senate Democratic leader. Whenever I 
needed his assistance, he was there. Whenever I needed his vote, he was 
there. Whenever I needed his friendship, he was there. In an address to 
the Senate last July, I referred to Senator Inouye as ``my hero in the 
Senate.'' I am confident that he always will be.
  Senator Inouye is a dear colleague and a remarkable man. Therefore, I 
take great delight in congratulating him on achieving this momentous 
occasion.
  I congratulate the Senator. His colleagues are proud of him as are 
the people of Hawaii.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Hawaii.
  Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, I shall long remember this day. I just 
hope my constituents will not consider me too old to be running for 
reelection. I thank my brother from Alaska and my leader from South 
Dakota. Those words will be cherished.
  Mr. STEVENS. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

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