Doris Matsui: “I would like to thank my friend, the gentlelady from Hawaii, for organizing this time for all of us to honor Daniel…”

“I would like to thank my friend, the gentlelady from Hawaii, for organizing this time for all of us to honor Daniel Inouye. It's with heavy heart that I rise here today in support of this resolution honoring the late Senator Inouye. On December 17, our country lost a beloved leader, an American hero, and a man I was honored to call my friend. Rising to become the most senior Member of the United States Senate, Senator Inouye will be remembered, not only for his distinguished record as a legislator, but also for his heroism on the battlefield. Senator Inouye served his country on the battlefields of Europe during World War II and earned the Nation's highest honor for military valor, the Medal of Honor. As a soldier, Senator Inouye fought for the lives of American citizens back home to protect his fellow servicemen and also for the ideals our country stands for: equality, justice, and freedom. When he joined politics, the only thing that changed was his battlefield. Senator Inouye was a giant in Congress who demonstrated his strong love for his country and belief in American ideals with every action he took. He was a man who stood by his convictions and fought for what he believed and was never afraid to reach across the aisle and look for bipartisan solutions to some of our Nation's most pressing problems.…”