A couple of years ago, I put together a list called the 30 Most Influential Asian Americans Under 30. It remains one of the most popular features ever posted on this blog. I have to admit, it has never even crossed my mind to make a list on the other end of the spectrum. But Slate has done it: 80 Over 80: 2010, a list of the most influential octogenarians in America.
Who is the most noteworthy person on the list, for the purposes of this blog? Sitting pretty at #2 (apparently up one spot from last year): 86-year-old Daniel Inouye, the senior senator from Hawaii and the President pro tempore of the United States Senate -- the highest-ranking Asian American politician in American history:
#2 Daniel InouyeThat is a really influential old guy. See the rest of the list includes everybody from Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (#1), to Oscar-winning actor/director Clint Eastwood (#5), President Jimmy Carter (#32), legendary comic book writer/editor Stan Lee (#41), and poet/civil rights activist Maya Angelou (#49). See Slate's full list here.
86 Years Old.
BIO:
Senior senator from Hawaii; Democrat. The World War II vet has been a member of Congress ever since Hawaii became a state. With Robert Byrd and Ted Stevens gone, Inouye is now "the last of a generation of old Senate lions," as the Washington Post put it.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?
Won ninth term in the Senate this year with a landslide 75 percent of the vote.
Assumed leadership of powerful Senate committee for appropriations in January 2009, after Robert Byrd stepped down. Chairs the subcommittee on defense appropriations.
In fiscal year 2010, secured $392,432,850 in earmark spending. He has referred to himself as "the number one earmarks guy in the U.S. Congress."
Sworn in as president pro-tempore of the U.S. Senate on June 28, 2010, marking him third in line to the presidency. He is also the senior member of the Senate.