Daniel Inouye

“ The question we Americans have debated over the decades is simple but profound: "Should we impose our will upon other lands? Or should we adopt a more peaceful path in convincing others of the goodness of our system and philosophy?" I suppose this matter will be debated for as long as we exist.
As I speak to you, a great debate is raging in the United States Senate. ”

“ After all, we are a democracy and not a dictatorship. While they may admire our democracy — after all, it has allowed a person like me to attain unheard of opportunities — they resent it being forced upon them. In doing so, we convey to others that they are inferior. ”

“ However, in 1942, as a result of petitions generated by Japanese Americans across the land requesting the privilege of serving in the United States' armed services, the President issued an Executive Order that said, "Americanism is a matter of mind and heart; Americanism is not, and never was, a matter of race or ancestry." ”

“ Democracy is an imperfect concept slowly seeking perfection.
However, I note that we Americans have been quite impatient with people of other lands who have not embraced our democracy. In some cases, we have officially condemned these nations in very harsh terms, and, in some, we have even used military force. ”

“ Third, people are not comfortable with power and might. Why? Because it makes us unequal. Our nation must go out of its way to extend a hand of friendship, especially to those that are, and have been our allies.
During these last few months, harsh words have been thrown about at France and its decision not to join us in the war against Iraq. Everything from calls to change "french fries" to "freedom fries," to a push to boycott French wine. Before any country enters into war, it must decide whether it is in its national interest to do so. ”

“ We hold these truths to be self-evident. That all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. ”

“ Therefore, there are approximately 13,000 unidentified individuals at rest in the Smithsonian Institution today. Imagine if any museum in the United States had 13,000 remains of Chinese people – or French, or Russian.
From the above examples, I could not help but conclude that history is an ever-changing scenario, and that our democracy was an ever-evolving concept. For example, the minority opinion in the Supreme Court may in later years become the majority view. Slavery and segregation are some of the numerous examples. ”

“ Only after Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7th did America enter the war. It was deemed to be in our national interest.
For these reasons, we should respect others, especially our allies. We cannot remain in an "either you are with us, or you're against us" posture. We sound like bullies, especially when we are not talking about lifetime enemies. ”

“ Since 1924, immigration from Japan had been prohibited and further, if a U.S. citizen married a Japanese national, he or she lost his or her citizenship. And what’s more, the Act also prohibited any Japanese national from becoming a naturalized citizen. ”

“ The sharing and learning will hopefully spark in our young students an interest in science and astronomy, and a drive to continue their education in reach of the stars. the College of Hawaiian Language is a leader not only in Hawaii, but across Native America. Many tribes are looking to UH Hilo for guidance in perpetuating their native language. ”

“ It was felt in those days that cranial capacity was directly related to intellect – in other words, the larger the skull, the smarter the individual. This particular Surgeon General wanted to test the theory on the Native Americans, and so requested the assistance of the Army in collecting remains of the Native Americans. ”

“ Many are uncomfortable with the term and so I use it advisedly. This world is ruled by regimes, not all necessarily in our own image. In fact, many are ruled in ways that we would not approve. But then again, is it our place to pass such judgment? ”

“ The potential for UH Hilo has gone way beyond what was envisioned when the doors of this campus were opened 56 years ago.
You should be very proud of the degrees you are receiving today. You have earned them, and you have earned them from a first-class institution. ”