Editor Julie Sloane
Americans Disabilities Act
Senator Inouye was co-sponsor of the landmark Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.
Helped President Johnson pass major Civil Rights laws in 1964 and 1965
President Johnson signs Civil Rights Act
July 6, 1964. Signing Ceremony for the historic Civil Rights Act. Senator Inouye is seated slightly left in the third row.
Inouye, the junior senator from Hawaii was Johnson's point-man for civil rights legislation in the Senate.
Senator Inouye supported Civil Rights
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Hawaii sent a delegation to Alabama to march with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in support of black voting rights. Crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma was a banner that said "Hawaii Knows Integration Works." Senator Inouye sent his trusted aide Henry Ku‘ualoha Giugni to represent him at Selma.
President pro tempore of the United States Senate.
Legislation Sponsored or Cosponsored by Daniel K. Inouye
Sponsored Legislation 2,164
Cosponsored Legislation 6,242
Total Bills 8,406
Landmark Legislation
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Senator Inouye was President Johnson's point man in the US Senate for passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Enacted July 2, 1964.
Older Americans Act of 1965
Senator Inouye supported President Johnson's Great Society Legislation. This law required states to advocate for the well-being of older individuals. Enacted onJuly 14, 1965 and re-authorized to include Nutrition, Transportation, Independent living, Elder Abuse and Caregiving support. The 2012 version included LGBT families as caregivers.
Medicare and Medicaid Act of 1965
Senator Inouye supported establishing Medicare, a health insurance program for the elderly, and Medicaid, a health insurance program for the poor. Medicare became law on July 30, 1965.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Senator Inouye worked behind the scenes to pass the Voting Rights Act, that end racial discrimination at the polls. Four months after Selma, Voting Rights became a new law on August 6, 1965.
1970 - Lowered the Voting Age to 18 for federal elections
Senator Inouye wrote the Constitutional Amendment to lower the voting age to 18. It was ratified and became law on July 5, 1971.
1975 - Community Health Centers
Comprehensive primary care for underserved rural and urban communities.
1984 - Emergency Medical Services for Children
Provides federal funds for pediatric care in hospital emergency rooms and EMS.
1990 - Americans with Disabilities Act
Civil Rights law prohibiting the discrimination against Americans with disabilities, the law became effective on July 26, 1990.
1996 - Tele-Communications Act
Regulations for telephone service, television and radio plus cellular phone service.
1988 Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Contracting under SBA 8(a)
Special 8(a) federal contracting preferences for Native Organizations 1988-2005.
2010 - Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell
Allows gay service members to serve openly in the military.
Major Accomplishments
Sesame Street
Educational Television.
Senator Inouye and his Republican friend Senator Ted Stevens from Alaska, ensured federal funds supported Sesame Street until the program was able to support itself. The bipartisan support for Sesame Street helped millions of American children with early childhood learning. After 52 years of broadcasting, Sesame Street is now seen in 120 countries with more than 30 international versions.
Photo: Big Bird visits the US Senate Appropriations committee in 1989.
