On the recordDecember 18, 2012
I wish to speak about our friend Danny Inouye. It has been a week of emotion. When we look at that black-draped desk with the white flowers, it is hard to believe that such a big part of this institution is gone, not just a living, breathing part of the institution is gone but a part of its history, its memory, its institutions, and its values. Dan epitomized all that. He was a gentleman first. Actually, we would have to say he was a patriot first. All we need do to see how much of a patriot he was is consider the fact that he had one arm missing because, as an Army lieutenant, he singlehandedly charged a German machine gun nest. He took them out, lost his arm, and ended up in the hospital for 20 months. Of course, we all know he was deservedly recognized with the Medal of Honor years later. He was a patriot, not only because he served as a young lieutenant but also by being a public servant for well over a half century. He was elected as the first territorial legislator of Hawaii in 1954 and then elected as its first Congressmen when it became a State in 1959. Since 1962, he has been a public servant serving his State. He was the first Japanese-American Senator. His name is synonymous with Hawaii, and so it is fitting, as told by his staff, that his last word was ``aloha.'' Patriot first but second he was a gentleman. That is a value which all of us in the Congress ought to remember. This all emanates from some of the greatest moral teachings on planet Earth.…
