Daniel Inouye: “on September 11, 2001, out of the rubble of destruction, countless Americans rose and demonstrated great courage and…”

“on September 11, 2001, out of the rubble of destruction, countless Americans rose and demonstrated great courage and selflessness. One such American was Mr. Isaac Hoopii, a Native Hawaiian who resides in McLean, VA, and is a Pentagon police officer and member of a bomb-sniffing canine police unit. Minutes after a hijacked plane crashed into the Pengaton, Mr. Hoopii raced into the burning building and carried out eight people. His calm resolve in the face of danger equaled his physical prowess. Unable to see the terrified victims, but knowing that they were amid the debris, smoke, and darkness, Mr. Hoopii repeatedly called out: 'Head toward my voice.' Several people followed his voice and crawled to safety. At least one man who was led by Mr. Hoopii's voice called it the 'voice of an angel,' and credits it for saving his life. I have had the opportunity to hear Mr. Hoopii's voice. He is a musician with the 'Aloha Boys,' a Hawaiian musical group that has performed on Capitol Hill. His singing is melodious and resonant, but I believe Mr. Hoopii's voice had never before sounded more beautiful than it did on that September morning. Mr. Hoopii carries with him the true aloha spirit, and I thank and commend him for sharing with the world the aloha of the Hawaiian people, whom I have been privileged to serve.”