Daniel Inouye, a United States Senator from Hawaii, served from 1963 until his passing in 2012. As a member of the Democratic Party, he held the esteemed position of President pro tempore of the United States Senate, making him the highest-ranking Asian-American politician in US history, from 2010 until his death. Additionally, he chaired various Senate Committees, including those on Intelligence, Commerce, and Appropriations.
Daniel Inouye's military career began when he fought in World War II as part of the 442nd Infantry Regiment. He suffered a severe injury, losing his right arm to a grenade wound, and received numerous military decorations, including the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award. Following his military service, Inouye returned to Hawaii, earned a law degree, and became a prominent figure in Hawaiian politics.
Inouye's early political career began when he was elected to Hawaii's territorial House of Representatives in 1953, followed by his election to the territorial Senate in 1957. When Hawaii achieved statehood in 1959, Inouye was elected as its first member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He then won his first election to the U.S. Senate in 1962, a position he held for 58 years without ever losing an election. During his time in office, Inouye wielded significant influence on Hawaiian politics.
Notably, Daniel Inouye was the first Japanese American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and the first Japanese American to serve in the U.S. Senate. Following the death of Sen. Robert Byrd on June 29, 2010, Inouye became President pro tempore of the Senate, making him third in the presidential line of succession after the Vice President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. At the time of his death, Inouye was the most senior sitting US senator, just seven and one-half months younger than Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey.
Inouye posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Honolulu International Airport was renamed Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in his honor.
