Dan Inouye: Senior Senator and Groom-to-Be
January 29th, 2008 by Jerry BurrisSo our senior senator, Dan Inouye, is engaged to be married.
Because he is a public figure, the news came from Inouye in the form of a statement, not unlike what might come when Inouye has something to say about appropriations headed to Hawaii or maybe his reaction to a presidential speech.
But this one was markedly more personal for the notoriously private Inouye. He announced he is engaged to Irene Hirano, currently president and chief executive officer of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. Inouye has long been a strong supporter of the museum and is listed as chair of its board of governors.
Hirano has a long list of accomplishments, serving on any number of boards and civic organizations. She has been active politically, contributing money for everyone from Sen. Diane Feinstein and Mazie Hirono to her future husband.
This is happy news for the senator, who suffered the loss of his best friend, Henry Giugni in 2005 and then his wife of 57 years, Maggie, in 2006.
Just another example that at 83, Inouye is more interested in looking forward than looking back. Maybe news reports about him will give up that “octogenarian” stuff and instead use the adjective “newlywed.”
January 30th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Ha ha. “Newlywed”. Good one Bubs.
January 30th, 2008 at 9:45 am
That is so cute that they feel in love with each other in such a short time. In less than a year I imagine. How romantic. Congrats!
January 30th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Despite all, I will be praying for a happy marriage for Senator Dan Inouye and his bride-to-be.
You’ll find more at this address:
http://www.kycbs.net/CV05-00030-Witness-Inouye-Dan.htm
ALOHA!
January 30th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
He just keeps writing new chapters.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Marriage involving senior citizens are multi-faceted.
Although love was an important factor in their decision to marry, there are other considerations.
In the case of Senator Inouye, since he does not have a wife to survive him, part of the reason for his marriage could be economic. He has served in Congress for many years and has built up a large retirement benefit. If he should pass without a surviving spouse, much of the benefit might be lost. By having a surviving spouse in this marriage, his retirement benefits can be enjoyed by th SS. The way things appear, Senator Inouye will not be retiring sometime soon, so to have a beneficiary for his retiremnt benefits makes good economic sense.
This is not to denigrate Senator Inouye or his bride, just wondering out loud the reasons for marriage at this stage of one’s life. This analysis may not apply to the Senator.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Studies say that people who had been married for many, many years, will marry again. It’s being in the marriage and the closeness of a marriage that makes people want it again, especially if it was a good marriage.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:53 pm
may his new marriage be better than his principles and ethics….
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:26 am
Dan Inouye is a true hero in more ways than most of us can possibly realize. There is always room for honest disagreement with public figures but, especially in this circumstance, spraymaster” is just small-minded and mean-spirited. Here’s an idea: Why not send us another email with your real name? No? I thought not.
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:55 am
Come on folks,his bride to be works in a museum,shes just colecting another Japanese relic.
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Congratulations Senator Inouye. You go there!
February 4th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Why don’t you (Jim Loomis?) send us your real name and home address?
February 6th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Wow! What a surprise! Congratulations to the happy couple!
I think that Irene Hirano is a very talented and intelligent lady. I first met her years ago when she was married to Ron Hirano. She has truly worked for what she has achieved in her life. She has over 30 years of experience working with diverse communities and with non-profits. I think I remember seeing her name associated with a health clinic in the local black community in Crenshaw in Los Angeles years ago. She is also one of the ones who started the Japanese American National Museum and has been the president and CEO from the the time that it was still on the drawing board to when it became a reality.
In marrying Senator Inouye, she is stepping onto a much larger and more public stage. I believe that she is politically savvy and will be a real asset to the Senator. It may have been more of a “meeting of the minds” and a true desire to work for people that led them together.
I hope that this will truly be a successful and happy marriage for both of them.
February 6th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
On our website, we have posted their wedding registry. It’s pretty interesting. Check it out!
March 4th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
yeah~~~I couldn’t agree with you more…..for marriagement there are more inteseted stories on this website meetwealthyboomer.com