IN MEMORIAM

In lieu of flowers, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's staff members said cards may be mailed to the senator's Honolulu office in the Prince Kuhio Federal Building, 300 Ala Moana, Room 7-212, Honolulu, HI, 96850. Funeral services are pending.

MARGARET INOUYE�S KEY LIFE EVENTS

1924: Margaret Shinobu Awamura is born in Wailuku, Maui.

1942: She graduates from Roosevelt High School.

1946: She receives a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Hawai'i.

1947: She receives a master of arts degree from Columbia University and then becomes a speech instructor at the UH Laboratory School.

1947: Daniel K. Inouye proposes marriage at Ala Moana Park on their second date.

1949: Maggie Awamura marries Daniel, then an underclassman at UH.

1950: The Inouyes move to Washington, D.C., where Daniel attends law school at George Washington University and Maggie works as a file clerk, and later an administrative secretary for the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Department of the Navy.

1953:Maggie Inouye becomes an instructor in education at the UH Lab School.

1954: Daniel Inouye is elected to Hawai'i’s territorial Legislature in a watershed year for Island Democrats.

1959: Tokyo press is entranced by the intelligence, style and charm of Maggie Inouye, wife of newly elected U.S. Rep. Daniel Inouye.

1962: Danial Inouye wins election to the U.S. Senate.

1963: Maggie Inouye is elected president of the 86th Congress Club, comprised of 100 spouses of senators and representatives who began their congressional service during the 86th Congress.

1964: Daniel K. Inouye Jr., known by his parents as "Kenny," is born.

2003: Maggie Inouye christens the Manukai, Matson’s new container ship.

2005: The UH Board of Regents approves the Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals in the Department of American Studies, College of Arts and Humanities, and the William S. Richardson School of Law, with chair holders to be selected from distinguished public figures who offer courses and seminars.

2005: Maggie Inouye is honored as one of Roosevelt High School’s most distinguished alumni.

"On behalf of my wife, Millie, and my entire family, I rise to express our sincere sympathies, deepest condolences and our warmest aloha to my dear friend, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, for the loss of his wife, Maggie, who passed away this afternoon. Over the past year, I have often asked Dan about Maggie. He's always said, 'She's a trooper, she's doing the best she can.' That really sums it up well — Maggie was definitely a trooper. She was a wonderful lady who served our country as a Senate spouse for the past 40-plus years. Maggie was a classy woman who was well-respected everywhere she went. She had a heart of gold and will definitely be missed by the people of Hawai'i and in Washington, D.C."

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawai'i, from the Senate floor

"I was deeply saddened to learn of Mrs. Inouye's death. She was the first lady of the Hawai'i congressional delegation. She was unfailingly kind and always gracious. Above all, she was Sen. Inouye's rock foundation of support, encouragement and loyalty. He has our deepest sympathy."

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i

"Audrey and I join all of our Hawai'i in mourning the passing of Margaret Inouye. She was a person of uncommon dignity and grace. She was an accomplished and distinguished individual in her own right when she met her future husband, with whom she joined together in a partnership that was to the lasting benefit of all our state and nation."

U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawai'i

"I am saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Inouye. As the wife of our senior senator, Mrs. Inouye played a prominent role both publicly and behind the scenes in representing Hawai'i in our nation's capital. I wish to extend my condolences and prayers to Sen. Inouye, their son, Daniel, and the entire family."

Gov. Linda Lingle

"We were deeply saddened to hear the news of Mrs. Inouye's passing. Our hearts and thoughts are with Sen. Inouye and his family during this difficult time. Mrs. Inouye was a warm and gracious representative of Hawai'i, and she will be greatly missed both here ... and in Washington, D.C."

House speaker Calvin K.Y. Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo, Wilhelmina Rise)

"Her steadfast support and enduring love for the senator bespoke a dedication that endured. ... I always enjoyed my private conversations with Mrs. Inouye. She was always very insightful and down-to-earth at the same time. After I lost my first election, she gave me a good pep talk and told me my day would come. ... As Sen. Inouye's wife, she preferred to avoid the public spotlight, but she contributed mightily to the progress of Hawai'i and the United States, through the good counsel she offered the senator."

Mayor Mufi Hannemann

"Maggie was a woman of strength, and together with the senator, represented Hawai'i well at home and in Washington, D.C. Her optimism, loyalty and smile will always be remembered. ... we offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to Sen. Inouye, Daniel Inouye Jr. and the entire Inouye 'ohana."

Brickwood Galuteria, chairman, Democratic Party of Hawai'i

"Anyone who spent any time with them knows how much they loved each other, cared for each other. She'll now have peace, and, to a certain extent, so will Sen. Inouye, because he has suffered with her."

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

"Our hearts go out to the Inouye family as they mourn their loss. ... The senator tells us that Maggie handled her illness with dignity and with grace. She always had a smile and kept a bright outlook."

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.