Daniel Inouye

Daniel Ken Inouye (/iːˈnoʊˌeɪ/ ee-NOH-ay;[1] September 7, 1924 – December 17, 2012) was an American attorney, soldier, and politician who served as a United States senator from Hawaii from 1963 until his death in 2012. Beginning in 1959, he was the first U.S. Representative for the State of Hawaii, and a Medal of Honor recipient. A member of the Democratic Party, he also served as the president pro tempore of the United States Senate from 2010 until his death.[2] Inouye was the highest-ranking Asian-American politician in U.S. history[3] until Kamala Harris became vice president in 2021.[4] Inouye also chaired various senate committees, including those on Intelligence, Indian Affairs, Commerce, and Appropriations.

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Daniel Inouye
Official portrait, 2008
United States Senator from Hawaii
In office January 3, 1963 – December 17, 2012
Preceded by	Oren Long
Succeeded by	Brian Schatz
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office June 28, 2010 – December 17, 2012
Preceded by	Robert Byrd
Succeeded by	Patrick Leahy
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's at-large district
In office August 21, 1959 – January 3, 1963
Preceded by	John Burns (Delegate)
Succeeded by	Thomas Gill
Personal details
Born	Daniel Ken Inouye (1924-09-07)September 7, 1924 Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S.
Died	December 17, 2012(2012-12-17) (aged 88) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Resting place	National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Margaret Shinobu Awamura ​ ​ (m. 1948; died 2006)​ Irene Hirano ​ (m. 2008)​
Children	1
Education	University of Hawaii, Manoa (BA) George Washington University (JD)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1943–1947
Rank	Captain
Unit	442nd Regimental Combat Team
Battles/wars	World War II (WIA)
Awards	Medal of Honor Bronze Star Purple Heart European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Presidential Medal of Freedom
Daniel Inouye's voice Inouye's speech in criticism of the 1991 AUMF Against Iraq Recorded January 12, 1991
Other offices 2009–2012: Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee 2007–2009: Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee 1987–1995, 2001–2003: Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee 1977–1989: Secretary of the Senate Democratic Conference 1976–1979: Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee

Inouye fought in World War II as part of the 442nd Infantry Regiment. He lost his right arm to a grenade wound and received several military decorations, including the Medal of Honor (the nation's highest military award). He later earned a J.D. degree from George Washington University Law School. Returning to Hawaii, Inouye was elected to Hawaii's territorial House of Representatives in 1953, and was elected to the territorial Senate in 1957. When Hawaii achieved statehood in 1959, Inouye was elected as its first member of the House of Representatives. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962. He never lost an election in 58 years as an elected official, and he exercised an exceptionally large influence on Hawaii politics.

Inouye was the second Asian American senator, following Hawaii Republican Hiram Fong. Inouye was the first Japanese American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first to serve in the U.S. Senate. Because of his seniority, Inouye became president pro tempore of the Senate following the death of Robert Byrd on June 28, 2010, making him third in the presidential line of succession after the Vice President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Inouye was a posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Order of the Paulownia Flowers. Among other public structures, Honolulu International Airport has since been renamed Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in his memory.