Champion of Phl war vets dies

WASHINGTON – The United States lost a hero with the death on Monday of Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, a long-time supporter of Filipino war veterans.

Inouye died of respiratory complications at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington. He was 88.

Inouye was a World War II hero and Medal of Honor recipient who lost an arm to a German hand grenade during a battle in Italy. He became the first Japanese-American to serve in Congress when he was elected to the House in 1959, the year Hawaii became a state.

A US senator since January 1963, he was the longest serving senator and was president pro-tempore of the Senate, third in the line of presidential succession.

He gained national attention on the Senate Watergate committee and as chairman of the select intelligence committee during the 1970s. He was also chairman of a special panel that investigated the Iran-Contra affair – involving secret US support of anti-communist Nicaraguan rebels with illegal sales of missiles to Iran – during Ronald Reagan’s presidency in the 1980s.

“Tonight, our country has lost a true American hero with the passing of Sen. Daniel Inouye... It was his incredible bravery during World War II – including one heroic effort that cost him his arm but earned him the Medal of Honor – that made Danny not just a colleague and a mentor, but someone revered by all of us lucky enough to know him,” US President Barack Obama, a native of Hawaii, said in a statement.

Inouye died after a relatively brief hospitalization. Once a regular smoker, he had a portion of a lung removed in the 1960s after a misdiagnosis for cancer. Just last week, he issued a statement expressing optimism about his recovery.

Inouye’s last word, according to a statement released by his office, was “Aloha.”

Phl expresses sorrow

Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. expressed the Philippines’ profound sorrow over the death of Inouye.

“Senator Inouye was more than just a friend of the Philippines. We grieve over his passing because the Filipino people have embraced him as one of their own,” said Cuisia in a statement released by the embassy. 

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippines mourns the passing of a “true friend and an invaluable champion of the Philippines in the US Congress.”

He recalled how Inouye mentored him on the workings of the US Congress when he served as ambassador to the US.

“As we pay tribute to this consummate statesman, war hero and generous spirit, we express our deepest sympathies to his wife, Irene, his son, Kenny, the people of the great state of Hawaii, and the American people on this monumental loss,” Del Rosario said. “We pray that they will find solace from all the good things Senator Inouye accomplished in his extraordinary lifetime.”

Championed Phl interest

Inouye worked tirelessly to get official US recognition for the services of Filipino World War II veterans.

It was largely through Inouye’s efforts that the US Congress established in 2009 the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund, which granted the payment of $15,000 for Filipino veterans who became US citizens and $9,000 to non-US citizens.

As chairman of the powerful US Senate appropriations committee, he pushed for higher US defense and security assistance to the Philippines.

Inouye was a co-sponsor of US Senate Resolution 481 that called for increased cooperation and enhanced bilateral security ties between the Philippines and the US, including support for Philippine defense modernization, the rotational presence of US forces and increased humanitarian and disaster relief preparedness activities.

Early this year Inouye reintroduced the Save our Industries Act or SAVE, a bill seeking to allow the duty-free export to the United States of Philippine apparel made of US fabrics.

Highest honors

When Inouye visited the Philippines in April 2011, President Aquino conferred on him the highest presidential honor, the Order of Sikatuna, for fostering, developing and strengthening relations between the Philippines and the United States.

He was also previously awarded the Order of Lakandula and presented with a presidential citation.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) said Inouye never wavered in his commitment to the cause of Filipino veterans.

“It was Senator Inouye’s resolve, despite many setbacks and obstacles in the legislative struggle, that galvanized congressional support, ultimately leading to a long-awaited victory,” NaFFAA national chairman Eduardo Navarra said. 

Community leader and former White House commissioner Gloria Caoile said Inouye was a remarkable man “who inspired us with his wisdom and integrity, steadfast devotion and drive.”

“We are a richer community because he touched our lives with dignity and grace. Thank you Senator Inouye,” she said.

Meeting with Filipino officials

Cuisia said no visit of ranking Filipino officials to the US was complete without a meeting with Inouye.

In June, Inouye organized a Senate reception for Aquino during the President’s official visit to Washington.

His last meeting with Filipino officials was with Del Rosario and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in September. – With Pia Lee-Brago, AP