Susan Walsh / AP

Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, the second-longest-serving senator in history, lies in state in the Capitol rotunda in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012.

Alex Wong / Getty Images

Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and Speaker of the House John Boehner put their hands over their hearts as the flag-draped casket of Sen. Inouye arrives at the Capitol rotunda.

The AP reports: Sen. Daniel Inouye, the second-longest serving senator in U.S. history, was remembered Thursday as a man who gallantly defended his country on the battlefield and gracefully sought to better it during the 50-plus years he represented his beloved state of Hawaii.

Colleagues and aides lined the Capitol rotunda five deep to say farewell. The rare ceremony demonstrated the respect and good will he generated over the years. Only 31 people have lain in the Capitol rotunda; the last was former President Gerald R. Ford nearly six years ago. The last senator who died in office and was accorded the honor was Democrat Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota, in 1978. Full Story

Evan Vucci / AP

The casket of Sen. Inouye is carried into the Capitol.

Susan Walsh / AP

Sen. Daniel Inouye lies in state in the Capitol rotunda.

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