Building program as authorizing "HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country" and expressing disappointment that Trump's budget "has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development." The senators wrote of their hope that the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020. Telecommunications In April 2019, Hirono was one of seven senators to sponsor the Digital Equity Act of 2019, legislation establishing a $120 million grant program that would fund the creation and implementation of "comprehensive digital equity plans" in every state and a $120 million grant program to support projects developed by individuals and groups. The bill also gave the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) the role of evaluating and providing guidance for digital equity projects. Personal life In May 2017, Hirono was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer, which had spread to her seventh rib. The cancer was discovered in a chest X-ray in April before minor eye surgery. Hirono's right kidney was removed on May 17, 2017, with a Cyberknife procedure to treat the rib lesion. She returned to the Senate on May 22, 2017, and was reelected to a second term in 2018. As of 2018, according to OpenSecrets.org, Hirono's net worth was more than $4.3 million. In 2021, Viking Press published Hirono's autobiography, Heart of Fire: An Immigrant Daughter's Story. Marie Claire listed the book among its "25 Great Memoirs to Pre-Order Now". Also in 2021, it was announced that Hirono would receive Japan's Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star for her "significant contributions in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting legislative exchanges between Japan and the United States". Electoral history See also List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress List of female lieutenant governors in the United States List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States List of United States senators born outside the United States Women in the United States House of Representatives Women in the United States Senate References Further reading External links Senator Mazie Hirono official U.S. Senate website Hirono for Senate campaign website Mazie Hirono Video produced by Makers: Women Who Make America |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- 1947 births 21st-century American politicians 21st-century American women politicians