APAICS | Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies

DAN INOUYE, FAMILY MAN

Daniel Ken Inouye was the eldest of four children born to Hyotaru and Kame Inouye, and Inouye often says about them, “They are my heroes.” Their quiet lives of hard work and integrity gave him the strength to pursue justice for all Americans, and the compassion to never forget that America’s promise of equality is for all people—regardless of how humble their roots.

In 1949, Inouye married Margaret Awamura. Then a professor at the University of Hawaii’s School of Education, Maggie stepped gracefully into the role of wife and mother. In 1964, she presented him with his first and only child, Daniel Ken Inouye, Junior. Their fifty-seven years of marriage ended when Margaret passed away from cancer.

In 2008, he married Irene Hirano, an established Los Angeles community leader. Their professional lives keep both of them busy, but Inouye feels blessed to have this beautiful, accomplished, and intelligent woman as his partner.

CAPTAIN INOUYE, DECORATED WWII VETERAN

Soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Japanese Americans and their parents in Washington, Oregon, and California were rounded up on 48 hours notice and forced to relocate into what were described as "concentration camps."  It should be noted that none of the people relocated were guilty of any crime, or even accused of having committed one.

However, many of their sons, a year later, volunteered to serve in the military, and, ironically, a few weeks after were declared to be "4C" by the Selective Services, the designation for "enemy aliens."  Dan Inouye was one such volunteer, and served in the Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team—the most decorated army unit of its size in the history of America.

On June 21, 2000, Mr. Inouye was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest military award—for his service in World War II. His words that day speak for themselves:

"I am deeply grateful to my nation for this extraordinary award. The making of a man involves many mentors. If I did well, much of the credit should go to my parents, grandparents and the gallant men of my platoon. This is their medal. I will receive it on their behalf."

SENATOR INOUYE, ELECTED OFFICIAL

As a high school student, Dan Inouye dreamed of becoming a doctor.  The war changed these goals.  When he was initially overlooked for the draft into the 442nd Regimental Combat Team because the Army wanted him to complete his medical studies, he immediately withdrew from them.  Later, when he lost his right arm in Italian theater of war, he realized he would never become an orthopedic surgeon.

Still driven by the desire to improve the lives of others, and tempered by living the fight for freedom, Dan Inouye went back to school to pursue a law degree to prepare for a life in politics.  In 1954, he won his first election to the Territorial House of Representatives.

Whether on the field of combat, or on the floor of the legislature, Dan Inouye has fought to preserve the civil liberties and equality of opportunity that define our American Democracy.

[Official Biography]