Mike Honda: “Thank you, Madam Chair. I, too, rise today with a heavy heart to honor and to remember Senator Dan Inouye. On December…”

“Thank you, Madam Chair. I, too, rise today with a heavy heart to honor and to remember Senator Dan Inouye. On December 17, 2012, the State of Hawaii, our Nation, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and all champions of social justice and change lost our polaris, our guiding light, our guiding star--Senator Daniel K. Inouye. I'm deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend who has been a hero to us all, his ohana. From his service on the battlefields of World War II--we mentioned a Medal of Honor--to the Senate floor, in serving the Aloha State in Congress since it achieved statehood in 1959 and rising to become the highest ranking Asian Pacific Islander in our Nation's history, his impact on our lives and our community is immeasurable and unparalleled. The Senator has had a deep sense and reflected a deep sense of dignity in spite of any kinds of situations that may surround him, a quiet calm of strength even in the battlefields to the Halls of Congress. We know that during the time of Watergate, he was slighted and insulted through a racial slur, but he did not exchange one for another. He just reflected his quiet strength and dignity by not responding at all. The rest of the country did for him. And as he went through the Watergate process, he showed that he could serve and deal with justice with an even hand. And with that, he showed that this country can deal with all kinds of problems that it faces.…”