Sen. Inouye of Hawaii dies at 88

Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii. | Chuck Kennedy/MCT

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David Lightman | McClatchy Newspapers

Iconic Sen. Daniel Inouye, a Democrat who represented Hawaii on Capitol Hill since it became a state in 1959, died at 5:01 p.m. Monday at the age of 88 at Walter Reed National Medical Center from respiratory complications.

According to his office, Inouye's last word was "Aloha."

Inouye was a World War II veteran, a medel of honor recipient, Hawaii's senior senator and the Senate's pro tempore. Senate Majortity Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced Inouye's passing on the Senate floor and delivered moving remarks. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., followed with his own reflections about Inoyue's life and career.

The statement released by Inouye's office indicated that someone recently asked the ailing senator to sum up his career.

"I represented the people of Hawaii and this nation honestly and to the best of my ability," he responded. "I think I did OK."

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