[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 96 (Friday, July 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1301-E1302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO EXPRESS THE POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES 
     REGARDING THE UNITED STATES RELATIONSHIP WITH NATIVE HAWAIIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2000

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to 
clarify the political relationship between Native Hawaiians and the 
United States. For years, Congress has legislated on behalf of Native 
Hawaiians as the aboriginal, indigenous, native peoples of Hawaii. This 
measure clarifies that political relationship and provides a process 
for Native Hawaiians to form a Native Hawaiian governing body to engage 
in a government-to-government relationship with the United States.
  The United States has declared a special responsibility for the 
welfare of the Native peoples of the United States, including Native 
Hawaiians. This relationship has been acknowledged by the United States 
since the inception of Hawaii's status as a territory. This 
relationship was most explicitly affirmed by the enactment of the 
Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, which set aside 200,000 acres of 
land in Hawaii for homesteading by Native Hawaiians. Legislative 
history clearly shows that in addressing this situation, Congress based 
this action and subsequent legislation on the constitutional precedent 
in programs enacted for the benefit of American Indians.

[[Page E1302]]

  Since Hawaii's admission into the Union, Congress has continued to 
legislate on behalf of Native Hawaiians as indigenous peoples. Native 
Hawaiians have been included as Native Americans in a number of federal 
statutes which have addressed the conditions of Native Hawaiians. P.L. 
103-150, the Apology Resolution, extended an apology on behalf of the 
United States to the Native people of Hawaii for the United States' 
role in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Apology Resolution 
also expressed the commitment of Congress and the President to 
acknowledge the ramifications of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii 
and to support reconciliation efforts between the United States and 
Native Hawaiians.
  The legislation I am introducing today is important not only to 
Native Hawaiians, but to all people in Hawaii. This measure provides 
the process to begin resolving many longstanding issues facing Hawaii's 
indigenous peoples and the State of Hawaii. In addressing these issues, 
we have begun a process of healing, a process of reconciliation not 
only with the United States but within the State of Hawaii. The essence 
of Hawaii is characterized not by the beauty of its islands, but by the 
beauty of its people. The State of Hawaii has recognized, acknowledged 
and acted upon the need to preserve the culture, tradition, language 
and heritage of Hawaii's indigenous peoples. This measure furthers 
these actions.
  The clarification of the political relationship between Native 
Hawaiians and the United States is one that has been long in coming and 
is well-deserved. Unfortunately, the history and the timing of Hawaii's 
relationship to the United States has not provided the appropriate 
structure for a government-to-government relationship between Hawaii's 
indigenous native peoples and the United States. The time has come to 
correct this injustice.

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