So 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."
SENATOR DAN INOUYE ENGAGED! (IN WHAT?)