Daniel Akaka

Daniel Kahikina Akaka, a Democrat, has represented Hawaii in the United States Senate since 1990. He is the first U.S. Senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry and is the only Chinese American member of the Senate.

Iraq War
Akaka voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq in Oct. 2002.

Voted yes on the Iraq Troop Reduction bill that would require the Secretary of Defense to reduce the number of troops in Iraq within 90 days. Also, the bill requires that the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq will be protecting and training U.S. and coalition personnel and infrastructure. Voted yes on Time Between Troop Reductions bill that requires that troops cannot be redeployed unless they have been off duty for at least as long as their last deployment to Iraq. The bill also encourages that troops should not be redeployed for at least twice as long as their last deployment.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal In 2006 Senator Akaka received a 66 percent rating from The National Council of Agricultural Employers, a group that represents farm labor issues, immigration and naturalization services, occupational safety, health administration and environmental protection.

Reparations for Japanese Latin Americans
Akaka cosponsored The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act in the 110th Congress which would establish a commission that would determine the facts and circumstances involving the relocation, internment and deportation of Japanese Latin Americans.

Bio
Daniel Akaka was born on September 11, 1924 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II, including Service on Saipan and Tinian. He is currently the second senator of native Hawaiian ancestry, and the only Chinese American Senator. He earned a Bachelor of Education (1952) and Master of Education (1966) from the University of Hawaii.

He was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1976 to represent Hawaii's Second Congressional District. He won seven consecutive elections by wide margins.

Akaka was appointed to the Senate in April 1990 to serve temporarily in place of the late Senator Spark Matsunaga, and sworn into office on May 16, 1990. In November of the same year, he was elected to complete the remaining four years of Matsunaga's unexpired term. He was re-elected in 1994 for a full six-year term, and, with over 70 percent of the popular vote, again in 2000.

2006 elections
Akaka was challenged in the Democratic primary, held on September 23, 2006 by US Rep. Ed Case. Akaka won the election with around 55% of the vote. Republicans nominated Jerry Coffee to face Akaka in the November general election, but due to the latter's health problems, he dropped out of the race, and Hawaii's governor appointed state representative Cynthia Thielen to contest the seat. Akaka retained his seat. free samples

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Chairman
 * Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
 * Senate Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Airland
 * Subcommittee on Seapower
 * Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support - Chairman
 * Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
 * Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
 * Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment
 * Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Energy
 * Subcommittee on National Parks
 * Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests
 * Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information and International Security
 * Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia
 * Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * Senate Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Airland
 * Subcommittee on Personnel
 * Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support - Ranking Minority Member
 * Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Energy
 * Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests
 * Subcommittee on National Parks - Ranking Minority Member
 * Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
 * Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
 * Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management Government Information and International Security
 * Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
 * Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Ranking Minority Member

Interest Group Ratings

Abortion Since 1993 Senator Akaka has received no lower than an 80 percent rating from pro-choice interest groups such as Naral Pro Choice America, Planned Parenthood, The National reproductive and Health Association. Since 1993 Senator Akaka has received no higher than an 8 percent rating from pro-life organizations such as The National Right to Life Committee, and Democrats for Life of America.

Agriculture In 2006 Senator Akaka received a 66 percent rating from The National Council of Agricultural Employers, a group that represents farm labor issues, immigration and naturalization services, occupational safety, health administration and environmental protection.

Animal Rights and Wildlife Issues Senator Akaka supported the interests of The Humane Society of The United States 100 percent in 2005-2006.

More Background Data

 * See how you compare to Daniel Akaka

Resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Articles

 * Mark Niesse, "Akaka Wins U.S. Senate Primary in Hawaii. ... Will Face Appointed GOP Candidate," Associated Press (ABC News), September 24, 2006.