In Honor of Senator Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, the Second-Longest-Serving Senator in US Senate History, Who Died December 17 in Bethesda, Md.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The U.S. maritime industry and our nation have lost a true patriot and hero. Senator Daniel Inouye will be missed. Ever since he first arrived in Washington, D.C., in 1959 as a congressman from Hawaii, three years later becoming a senator, Dan Inouye was a tireless supporter and promoter of the U.S. maritime industry. He understood in real terms the critical importance of a strong U.S. flag shipping community to serve the people of the United States, particularly those living in the non-contiguous states of Hawaii and Alaska, and territories such as Puerto Rico.

He was a leader in every sense of the word; his record of service to our nation was exemplary. He petitioned with other Japanese-Americans from Hawaii to join the military in World War II and gave his arm during battle in Italy while personally storming three enemy machine gun nests, earning the Medal of Honor. He was deeply respected by his peers on Capitol Hill for his integrity and character. According to his office in Washington, his last word was "aloha." The importance of his lifetime commitment to service will long be felt by those that had the pleasure to meet him.

All of us at Horizon Lines, from Honolulu to Anchorage to San Juan, would like to share condolences with Senator Inouye's family as we remember a great man.