For Immediate Release                                      Contact:            Christine Moses
May 20, 2001                                                                                 860/297-4285
                                                                                                       christine.moses@trincoll.edu

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye Received
Honorary Degree from Trinity College

HARTFORD, Conn., May 20, 2001 – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye from Hawaii received an honorary doctorate degree from Trinity College at the College’s 175^th Commencement today.  The ceremony included 491 graduating seniors, 27 master’s degree candidates, and six other distinguished honorees.   During the proceedings Inouye was cited by Trinity College Board Chair Thomas S. Johnson and College President Evan S. Dobelle for his admirable service to his country in World War II and as a visionary leader in the U.S. Senate.

“With steadfast commitment to human rights, Inouye has always responded in ways that refute and disarm prejudice,” said Dobelle, who will assume the presidency of the University of Hawaii beginning July 2.  “It will be a distinct privilege to work with him when I join the University this summer.”

            “Senator Inouye is widely and deservedly celebrated for his even-handed quest for justice on the Senate committees investigating Watergate and the Iran-Contra scandal,” said Johnson.  “He deserves this award because of his unflinching love for our country, and for his courageous and virtually peerless service in war and peace.”

During World War II, Inouye fought in France and Italy.  He won a battlefield promotion to lieutenant, earned the Congressional Medal of Honor and other decorations during the war.

In addition to Inouye, others who received honorary degrees include:

·        Joseph I. Lieberman, U.S Senator and Democratic Party vice presidential nominee and Commencement speaker, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Law, honoris causa.

·        Professor Martin E. Marty, the Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago and Baccalaureate speaker, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa.

·        Robert Daly, chairman and CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers and former Warner Bros. Co-chairman and CEO, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

·        Claudia J. Kennedy, retired Lieutenant General of the U. S. Army, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

·        Mario J. Molina, scientist and Nobel Laureate, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa.

·        R.E. Turner, Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor at AOL Time Warner, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

            The Commencement will be broadcast in a delayed “webcast” on the Trinity Web site (www.trincoll.edu) beginning on Monday, May 21, at 4 p.m.    

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