Senator Dan Inouye

Dan explains his biggest challenge as a senator.

Dan describes his responsibility to the citizens of Hawaii.

Daniel K. Inouye, the most senior member of the U.S. Senate, has throughout his remarkable career made his mark on America and Hawaii, serving as a respected legislator able to work in a bipartisan fashion to enact impactful legislation.  In January 1943, at the age of 18, he volunteered to serve in the United States Army.  He was assigned to the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team, an all-Japanese-American U.S. Army unit, and he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for military valor.

Dan explains how his senior status in the U.S. Senate enables him to deliver more jobs, progress and opportunity to Hawaiians.

Having witnessed the horrors of war firsthand, Dan Inouye has committed himself to doing everything within his power to prevent war.  As Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, he has fortified national security and provided the best possible assistance to the American servicemen and women who risk their lives for our country every day.

Dan talks about Hawaii’s unique problems and his role as an advocate for the state.

Senator Inouye has vigorously championed the interests of Hawaii’s people.  He has improved its citizens’ economic and educational prospects, strengthened its infrastructure, and protected and restored its natural resources, enhancing the overall quality of life for all in Hawaii.  He has spearheaded efforts to enhance employment opportunities and placement, increase all citizens’ access to community healthcare, and stimulate small business growth across a diverse array of sectors.  He has a special place in his heart and his agenda for the indigenous people of Hawaii – Native Hawaiians, and has supported many programs from their betterment.

Dan talks about the vital role of public service - by all Americans - in a democracy.

A passionate and tireless advocate for the citizens of Hawaii, his impact on the state continues to be far-reaching.  He brought bus service to Honolulu and the Neighbor Islands.  Whether at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor or Schofield Barracks, he has helped create a steady flow of construction jobs that support an expanding military infrastructure.  A proponent of diversifying Hawaii’s agricultural production, he has simultaneously helped stimulate economic activity and protect the islands’ delicate ecosystem.  The senator has also helped develop a growing high technology sector in Hawaii with the Kauai and Maui High Technology Centers, the launch of the Maui supercomputer, and the critical testing and training importance of Kauai’s Pacific Missile Range Facility, as visible examples of his commitment.  He continues to make significant investments in the University of Hawaii’s educational and research infrastructure to support their areas of excellence in astronomy and oceanography.  Senator Inouye has supported conservation and acquisition of thousands of acres across the state to protect tropical habitats for Hawaii’s indigenous crow, the alala, the nene goose, and in the ocean, he has worked to preserve our coral reefs, sea turtles and monk seals.

Dan explains how a “typical” day in the life of the most senior member of the US Senate is anything but.

Senator Inouye launched his political career in 1954, when he was elected to the Territorial House of Representatives.  Immediately distinguishing himself as natural leader, his Democratic colleagues selected him as their Majority Leader.  He was elected to the Territorial Senate four years later.  When Hawaii became a state in 1959, Hawaii’s residents voted him their first Congressman, sending him back to Washington again in 1960.  In 1962 he was elected to the U.S. Senate and has served eight consecutive terms.

Dan explains what he likes best about his job.

In 1968, the Japanese American senator made history when he was invited to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention—where he was also under consideration to be Hubert Humphrey’s running mate in the presidential contest.  After serving on the Watergate Committee in 1973, he became the first Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in 1976. 

Dan talks about his unlikely selection as Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Senator Inouye served as Secretary of the Democratic Conference (elected by his Democratic colleagues to this leadership post), from January 1979 through 1988.  As Chairman of the Iran-Contra Committee hearings in 1987, the senator was lauded for his unyielding integrity, even temperament and bipartisan leadership.  He also chaired the Senate Democratic Central America Study Group convened to assess U.S. policy in the region, and served as Senior Counselor to the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America (also known as the Kissinger Commission).

Senator Inouye is the most senior member of the U.S. Senate and the second longest serving Senator in history.  He was sworn in as President Pro-Tempore of the U.S. Senate on June 28, 2010.  Senator Inouye is now third in line to the Presidency after the Vice-President and the Speaker of the House.

“I would say I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”

On May 24, 2008, Senator Inouye married Irene Hirano, President of the U.S.-Japan Council and former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.  He was, for nearly 57 years, married to Margaret Awamura Inouye, a former instructor at the University of Hawaii, who passed away on March 13, 2006.  He has a son, Ken Inouye, who is married to Jessica Carroll from Rochester, New York.