[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 18319-18320]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING DANIEL K. INOUYE

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to bid 
``Aloha'' to an extraordinary colleague and a dear friend, Senator 
Daniel K. Inouye.
  I want to first and foremost offer my most sincere condolences to 
Dan's exceptional wife, Irene, who has been a pillar of unending 
strength and courage, as well Ken and Jennifer, both of

[[Page 18320]]

whom he spoke of with boundless love, and of course, his entire family, 
as our hearts go out to them during this most difficult time.
  On an occasion of such a large and historic loss, finding the 
appropriate words to capture the immense depth and breadth of this 
moment, as well as the magnitude of its meaning, represents the most 
daunting of challenges. As Dan was the most senior member of this 
esteemed Chamber, and the second longest serving Senator in its 
history, every Senator here never known this institution without him--
and so it is difficult to comprehend that these hallowed halls will 
never again witness his presence or hear his deliberative, 
compassionate, and measured approach.
  Like all my colleagues, I profoundly admired Dan for his devotion to 
this country and the steadfast, irrepressible determination that he 
exhibited day in and day out, as he sought to better our Nation not 
only for his constituents in his beloved home State of Hawaii, but for 
all who called America home. But that is who Dan was, and throughout 
his remarkable life, he placed the highest of premiums on service above 
self.
  He did on the shores of Honolulu when, having heard the clarion call 
of sirens ringing out across the island as Japanese planes attacked 
American naval forces at Pearl Harbor, he rushed toward the battle to 
volunteer as a Red Cross medic. He did on the battlefields in Italy 
during the Second World War, when having taken sniper fire and enduring 
a gruesome explosion that would later claim his right arm, he refused 
to evacuate, pressing forward to neutralize enemy positions so that he 
could lead his men to safe ground--an act of heroism and valor which 
later rightfully earned him the Distinguished Service Cross and the 
Medal of Honor.
  Those acts of valor, which spoke to Dan's intrinsic and abiding 
concern for others, distinguished him throughout his life. In fact, it 
motivated him at every turn in Congress, where he cared not about 
scoring political points, but about doing what was right. In times rife 
with partisanship, he proved the rare exception, bringing to bear his 
principled voice of reason, as well as his enormous credibility, his 
gravitas, and his vast experience to rise above the rancorous din that 
all too often envelops us here in Washington.
  Indeed, Dan legislated with uncommon civility and candor, ability and 
efficacy, as well as the most seriousness of purpose and irrepressible 
good humor. It is no wonder, then, why the people of Hawaii, since 
achieving statehood in 1959, have repeatedly and overwhelmingly 
returned Dan to Congress for over half a century, entrusting him not 
only to be their voice and their vote, but their champion.
  And that is precisely what he was--a legislative stalwart and 
tireless advocate for his beloved home State, fighting fiercely on 
behalf of his fellow Hawaiians. Whether strengthening vital 
infrastructure, increasing job training and employment opportunities 
across the islands, or supporting veterans, he united a workhorse-like 
legislative craftsmanship with his legendary statesmanship to not only 
deliver on behalf of Hawaii, but ensure that his State, despite its 
geographical location, was on the vanguard of modernism.
  In fact, I can still well-recall traveling to Afghanistan, Pakistan, 
and Uzbekistan with Senator Inouye and Senator Ted Stevens--who shared 
a remarkable friendship themselves--as part of a five-member Senate 
delegation in February of 2002, just 4 months after the horrific 
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. One of the first American 
delegations to travel to Afghanistan after the tragedy, we consulted 
with NATO leaders to discuss international support for anti-terrorism 
efforts worldwide and met with President Pervez Musharref of Pakistan 
and Chairman Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan to signal America's commitment 
to defeating terrorism. And Dan was instrumental in these formative 
post-9/11 efforts in combating the combat the scourge of terrorism.
  And so as we reflect upon his unequaled career, we as a people and as 
a Nation can find solace in knowing that he has left to us an 
incredible legacy of service that will not only resonate for 
generations to come, but that will inspire all of those who are 
fortunate to follow in his footsteps, just as it has inspired all of us 
who have had the privilege of serving with him.
  Perhaps most importantly, though, he was indisputably what our 
forefathers quite likely had in mind when they envisioned a United 
States Senator, and his beloved Aloha State--and indeed our Nation--
could not have asked for a more eloquent and powerful champion fighting 
on their behalf. I will most certainly always remember the sincerity 
and warmth of our conversations and forever treasure our friendship.
  As I conclude, today, I remember a powerful statement of Senator 
Inouye's, which speaks to his unparalleled humility and integrity. 
Having recently been asked how he hoped history would remember him, he 
replied, ``I represented the people of Hawaii and this nation honestly 
and to the best of my ability. I think I did okay.''
  Mr. President, I believe, as do my colleagues, that history will 
recall Senator Inouye as one of our most distinguished and iconic 
legislators, and just as he joins the pantheon of exemplary leaders who 
have shaped our Nation for the better, his memory will, too, forever 
live on in the collective heart of an eternally grateful Nation. 
Indeed, the Senate, the State of Hawaii, and the Nation, are 
immeasurably enhanced by his service.

                          ____________________