The leadership of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America issued the following statement upon learning of the death of Senator Inouye:

“The leadership of the Orthodox Union expresses its condolences upon the passing of Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii today at age 88.

Sen. Daniel Inouye, was a World War II hero, pioneer for the state of Hawaii and the second longest serving senator in American history. Over the course of his career, Senator Inouye was a stalwart supporter of the State of Israel. He was also a friend and supporter of the American Jewish community with whom we worked on key issues, including educational opportunity and religious liberty.

First elected to the Senate in 1962, Inouye was the dean of the upper chamber and is the second longest serving Senator in history after West Virginia’s Robert Byrd. He lost his arm during a 1945 fire fight in Italy, became the first congressman from the Aloha state, and eventually became chairman of the Senate Appropriations committee.

In meetings with us over the years, Sen. Inouye would wish us a hearty “Shalo – hah”. Today, we bid him farewell and peace.