[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                       Tuesday, February 11, 2003

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to 
clarify the political relationship between Native Hawaiians and the 
United States. This bill is identical to a bill being simultaneously 
introduced in the Senate by Senator Daniel Akaka and Senator Daniel 
Inouye. Representative Ed Case, from the Second District of Hawaii, is 
joining me as an original cosponsor on the introduction of this 
measure.
  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 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.
  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. 
Public Law 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.

  It is important to note that this measure has strong support from 
indigenous peoples within the United States. The National Congress of 
American Indians and Alaska Federation of Natives have both passed 
resolutions in support of a government-to-government relationship 
between Native Hawaiians and the United States. Similar resolutions 
have been passed by the Japanese American Citizens League and the 
National Education Association. The measure is also supported by the 
Hawaii State Legislature, which passed a number of resolutions 
supporting a federally recognized government-to-govenunent 
relationship.
  The legislation being introduced today is important not only to 
Native Hawaiians, but to all the people of 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 only 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.

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