Daniel K. Inouye

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (1924-2012) was a lifelong public servant. A veteran who nearly lost his life in brave service with the highly-decorated, all-Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team in World War II, he was recognized for his military valor with several medals and citations, including the Medal of Honor. He was the first Japanese American to serve in Congress, with posts in both the Hawai'i House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, where he rose to the rank of president pro tempore. He was instrumental in advancing the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided redress for Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II. For his leadership, he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. He was also a strong supporter of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation and gave the keynote address at the grand opening of the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, saying, "The work is just starting. This Center will play an important role in reminding people that interment did happen in this great nation. And it we don't watch ourselves it could happen again." He is remembered as a great American patriot and friend.

Wyoming · United States