Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-10
Inouye Says Howoiion Harmony
Sets Example for Worlds Races

X. Inouye, Democrat OF Hawai-
and the first Japanese-Ameri-
can elected to serve in Congress.
arrived in Washington yester-
day and said that Hawaii can
be an example to the world.
+ I'VE believe we have some
thing unique to CONFERENCE.-The
example Of a society made up
Of all ethnic backgrounds living
together in harmony" he de-
clared.
IT am not trying to say that
we have no racial problems,
but I believe we come closest
Of any place in the world to
good democratic living"
In his press conference at
the Statler Hilton Hotel, Mr..
Inouye said the action of Con-
gress in voting statehood for
Hawaii has had a great i'm
pact on the world, particularly
Asia"
He said he would like ito
serve as a living testament to
the fair play and good will Of
Congress in extending statehood
to Hawaii"
He predicted President Eisen-
hover would formally proclaim
Hawaii as the 50th State with
In 10 days"
FavOrs Some Home Rule
Asked where he would stand
on legislation proposing home
rule for the District, Mr..
Inouye, who is a graduate OF
George Washington University
Law School, replied:
- "As one from an area just
granted self-determination, I
would like to see some degree |
OF self determination for the
people of the District, but /
don't believe the situation here
is parallel to that in Hawaii.
* ''I think that statehood for
the District would be out Of the
question. but I would like to
study this problem further"
On civil rights legislation. he
said:
1T would consider myself a
liberal on this matter, but that
doesn't mean I would be in
favor of every bill labeled lib
eral.
IT am certain that the peo-
pie of the South have ajStory
to tell and I would like to
listen to their story, because I
don't believe integration in it
self is a solution to the prob
lem Of civil rights"
Elected for Year
Asked about his political flu
ture, Mr.. Inouye said he and
his wife, Margaret, who ac-
companied him here, will take
over the Washington apart
ment of John A. Burns, the
territory's non-voting congress
sional delegate, and will shop |
for furniture.
I'VE hate to buy furniture for
just one year." he added. He
has to run for election again |
next year.
Mr.. Inouye said that while in |
Congress he hopes to secure for |
Hawaii its fair share Of inter-
state highway funds, improve
ments for its national parks
and possible Federal aid in
setting up an interisland ferry
system.
Greeted by Ex- Commander
The 34-year-old Mr.. Inouye
was greeted by about so persons,
including Paul Butler, chairman
of the Democratic National
Committee, and several Con-
gressmen, when he arrived at
Baltimore's Friendship Airport
by jet plane from Los Angeles.
Three Hawaiian secretaries
from the Office of Mr.. Burns
placed paper leis- around his
neck as he emerged from the
plane.
Among those who welcomed
Mr.. Inouye here was Col. James
M. Hanley, former commanding
officer of the famed 442d Regi-
ment Combat Team, the Nisei
outfit in which Mr.. 1nouye
served in World War II.
One of Hawaii's outstanding
war heroes, Mr.. Inouye won a
battlefield commission and the
Distinguished Service Cross. He
lost his right arm in the fight
ing.
Col. Hanley, commenting on
the service of Mr.. Inouye and
others in this regiment, said:
1.-The NiSei had double job
to prove themselves as loyal
Americans as well as soldiers.
They proved it, and Dams cleo
ton esta blishes that they
proved it."