D’Amato In Hospital With Chest Pains

U.S. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato was hospitalized Tuesday for tests after suffering chest pains.

The Long Island Republican was “awake, alert and in good spirits” at St. Francis Hospital, his office said in a statement. Tests found no sign of damage or disease to D’Amato’s heart, his office said.

The statement said he would remain hospitalized overnight for observation.

As he was wheeled into the emergency room, D’Amato gave a thumbs-up sign to reporters and said, “I’ve always kept in good shape. I’ll be all right.”

D’Amato, 57, was hospitalized following a stressful week in which he was hammered by JapaneseAmerican groups over his impersonation of a Japanese accent while discussing O.J. Simpson trial Judge Lance Ito.

D’Amato twice apologized for his botched attempt at comedy, once on the Senate floor.