A Special Forum by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center: The Life and Legacy of Senator Daniel Inouye (1924-2012)

Free and open to the public.

Senator Daniel Inouye, a highly decorated American WWII combat veteran, an eight term United States Senator, and the President pro tempore of the United States Senate from 2010 until his death in 2012, was the most powerful Asian American politician in U.S. history.  As the Senate’s President pro tempore, he was third in line in the succession for the U.S. Presidency.

Senator Inouye’s accomplishments were both extraordinary and historic for a man who, as a Japanese American during World War II, was classified as an “enemy alien” by the U.S. government and denied basic civil rights held by all Americans at the time.  His journey from “enemy alien” to war hero to President pro tempore, his advocacy for civil rights, the U.S. military, Native Hawaiians, American Indians, the people of Hawaii and others, and his work in the Senate all form a legacy that will remain alive for generations.

Senator Inouye’s life and place in American history is an opportunity to understand the arc of the Asian American experience over the past 100 years.  The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center is proud to host a special forum to discuss the life and legacy of Senator Daniel Inouye, a man of our time.

Forum Speakers:

• Colleen Hanabusa, Congresswoman (D-HI 1st District)
• Terry Shima, 442nd RCT veteran
• Antonio Taguba, Retired Army Major General
• Tuyet Duong, Senior Advisor for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Moderator:

• Kathy Park, ABC 7 and NewsChannel 8 anchor

The program opens with a performance by the Aloha Boys.

Closest Metro: L’Enfant Plaza and Federal Center

 For more info: apanews.si.edu/2013/02/07/dor-inouye