Mazie Hirono: “Earlier this week, my State of Hawaii and our Nation lost a truly great man, Senator Daniel K. Inouye. He began serving…”

“Earlier this week, my State of Hawaii and our Nation lost a truly great man, Senator Daniel K. Inouye. He began serving our country when he was only 17 years old, joining the Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor. At that time, many questioned the patriotism of people who looked like him, but for Senator Inouye that was precisely why he joined the service. He was a true patriot. He loved this country and was willing to do whatever he could to defend it. In fact, he lost his arm charging a series of machine gun nests on a hill on San Terenzo, Italy, on April 21, 1945. His heroic actions rightly earned him the Medal of Honor. He was the embodiment of the Greatest Generation: courage, sacrifice, humility, and love of country. It's why the commitment to serve and protect those who fight for our country has always been one he took personally. It's why he always stood up for the ideals of freedom and justice that our country is founded upon, because he saw firsthand what happens when we don't. And it's why he was always proud to stand up for our heritage in Hawaii. The truth is, Senator Inouye deeply loved our beautiful State of Hawaii. Half a century ago, he had a vision of the Hawaii we inherit from him today. Over his many decades of service, he displayed a builder's skill, pouring the foundation of the modern and vibrant Hawaii that is his legacy.…”