Iconic Sen. Daniel Inouye, a Democrat who represented Hawaii on Capitol Hill since it became a state in 1959, died at 5:01 p.m. Monday at the age of 88 at Walter Reed National Medical Center from respiratory complications.
According to his office, Inouye's last word was "Aloha."
Inouye was a World War II veteran, a Medal of Honor recipient, Hawaii's senior senator and the Senate's pro tempore. Senate Majortity Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced Inouye's passing on the Senate floor and delivered moving remarks. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., followed with his own reflections about Inouye's life and career.
The statement released by Inouye's office indicated that someone recently asked the ailing senator to sum up his career.
"I represented the people of Hawaii and this nation honestly and to the best of my ability," he responded. "I think I did OK."
Aloha, Senator Inouye. Although a bit too conservative for my taste, you did indeed represent Hawai'i to the best of your ability for 53 years. Far too long for one man to wield such power.
Term limits, anyone? The Senate was never meant to be a lifetime appointment.
Posted by: ypochris | December 17, 2012 at 08:27 PM