On the recordDecember 18, 2012
I stand here today to give tribute to my friend, Hawaii's senior Senator--our country's senior Senator--Daniel K. Inouye. With your passing, my friend, I want to tell you that no one can fill your shoes. In Hawaii, we jokingly say that there are three economic drivers in our State: tourism, defense, and Senator Inouye. And it's true. His work and his unselfishness in serving his State and country are unparalleled. He served our country during war at a time when people who looked like him were not considered American citizens. He did it and served our country honorably and with respect and with incredible strength and character. He did it because he believed in what our country should and could be. Our country--great; our country--about service; our country-- about our children and our future; our country--honorable. His personal legacy in my home State of Hawaii could and will never be matched. Never. Hawaii, we will never be able to thank Senator Inouye for his service and what he has done for us. It is too great to put into words, and it cannot be done in a 5-minute tribute. But what I want to give my aloha and thanks to Senator Inouye for, is bigger than all of us: for his commitment to serve and protect our brave men and women who fight for our country, for his dedication and willingness to work in a bipartisan fashion, for standing up for the ideals of freedom and justice that our country is founded upon, for always standing up for our proud heritage in Hawaii.…
