Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) questions witnesses about the cost of military items, May 18, 2011.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, the country's longest-serving senator and a Medal of Honor recipient, died Monday, his office announced. He was 88.
"His last words were, 'Aloha'," a statement from his office said.
The 88-year-old Inouye (ih-NOH'-way) was completing his 50th year in the chamber, and as president pro tempore of the Senate he was third in the line of presidential succession.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Inouye's death on the Senate floor.
Spokesman Peter Boylan said Sunday the senator was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he was taken earlier this month so doctors could observe him and monitor his oxygen intake.
Inouye, a decorated World War II veteran and longtime force in Hawaii politics, had served as chairman of the Appropriations Committee.
More News:
Reader Comments (