With a distinguished tenure of more than 49 years, Senator Daniel K. Inouye was the second longest serving member of the U.S. Senate prior to his death. As president pro tempore from 2010-2012, Inouye was the highest-ranking public official of Asian descent in U.S. history.

During World War II, Inouye served as a member of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team. His heroic actions resulted in the loss of his right arm and he ultimately earned the nation’s highest award for military valor, the Medal of Honor.

Inouye was widely respected for his moral courage and his commitment to work in a bipartisan fashion to enact meaningful legislation. Inouye served as the first Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, as a member of the Senate Watergate Committee and Chair of the Iran-Contra Investigative Committee. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Inouye focused on defense matters that would strengthen national security and enhance the quality of life for military personnel and their families.

Inouye continuously represented Hawaii in the U.S. Congress since it achieved statehood in 1959, serving as Hawaii’s first Congressman before being elected to the Senate in 1962 – the first Japanese-American elected to both the House and Senate.

Inouye is survived by his wife Irene Hirano Inouye, son Kenny Inouye and his wife Jessica, granddaughter Maggie and stepdaughter Jennifer Hirano.