Frank Lautenberg: “I rise standing near our friend and colleague from Hawaii as we think about his colleague in the Senate and the fond…”

“I rise standing near our friend and colleague from Hawaii as we think about his colleague in the Senate and the fond relationship they enjoyed. If a poll was conducted in this Chamber or among the Members of this Chamber, if you said: Who is the most respected, beloved, wise Member of the U.S. Senate, you would come up with only one name, not that there aren't others of friendship and good will and intellect and all of those things, but Danny Inouye is the exceptional person. His demeanor was quiet and thoughtful and always helpful, and he served his country in a way that few have in our history, having lost his arm in Italy and fighting on to lead his troops. I give you that background that all of us are so familiar with: a Medal of Honor winner, a distinction so rarely given, only to true heroes, to true leaders. But Danny is a multidimensional person. He always had room for friendship, warmth, and affection, and his companion of 57 years, someone he always talked of with respect and admiration, and the linkage was true and fast. He relied on some people for advice and counsel and always cleared the air with his own thinking. But Maggie, his wife, was someone who was such an integral part of Danny Inouye's living that this moment is especially tragic. He looked after her with love and affection and talked to those with whom he had contact about her, never really resigning in tone or in words the fact that she was not doing well.…”