NATION : 1st Hawaii Native Joins Senate : Akaka Sworn In as First Hawaii Native to Serve in U.S. Senate
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WASHINGTON — Daniel K. Akaka, a Democrat and the first native Hawaiian to serve in the Senate, was sworn in today to succeed the late Spark M. Matsunaga as Hawaii’s junior senator.
Akaka, 63, was escorted to the well of the Senate chamber by the state’s senior senator, Daniel K. Inouye, also a Democrat. The oath of office was administered by Senate President Pro Tem Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.).
After taking the oath, Akaka signed his name in the official Senate register as colleagues stood and applauded.
Inouye introduced Akaka as the first native Hawaiian to serve in the Senate and said he “epitomizes the highest virtues of what we proudly call the aloha spirit of Hawaii.”
Akaka was appointed by Gov. John D. Waihee III to serve until the November election. Akaka and the islands’ other House member, Rep. Patricia Saiki, a Republican, are expected to square off in November for the right to complete Matsunaga’s term, which expires at the end of 1994.
Akaka has served since 1977 in the House, where he compiled a liberal voting record. He is a former schoolteacher.
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