[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 73 (Monday, June 6, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S6104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. AKAKA (for himself and Mr. Inouye):
  S. 1166. A bill to extend the authorization of the Kalaupapa National 
Historical Park Advisory Commission; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill to 
reauthorize the Kalaupapa National Historical Park Advisory Commission, 
an advisory group to Kalaupapa National Historical Park. The park was 
established by statute in 1980, P.L. 96-565, to provide for the 
preservation of the nationally and internationally significant 
resources of the Kalaupapa settlement on the island of Molokai in the 
State of Hawaii--the residents, culture, history, and natural 
resources. The purpose of the park is to provide a well-maintained 
community in which the Kalaupapa Hansen's disease patients are 
guaranteed that they may remain at Kalaupapa as long as they wish, and 
to protect the current lifestyle of these patients and their individual 
privacy. The Act provides that the preservation and interpretation of 
the settlement be managed and performed by patients and Native 
Hawaiians to the extent practical.
  Section 108 of the enacting legislation establishes the Kalaupapa 
National Historical Park Advisory Commission consisting of 11 members, 
appointed by the Secretary of the Interior for terms of five years. 
Seven of the members are patients or former patients elected by the 
patient community. Four members are appointed from recommendations made 
by the Governor of Hawaii, and at least one of these is Native 
Hawaiian. The appointments are not compensated.
  The Advisory Commission is an important body providing input and 
advice to the Secretary of the Interior on policy concerning visitation 
to the park and other matters. It is remarkable that 25 years have 
passed since enactment of the bill establishing the park and 
Commission; and at the end of the 2005 calendar year, the Advisory 
Commission expires. It is important to continue the work of the 
Commission, which is to provide a voice for the patients and residents 
to be heard on matters concerning their home. I and my cosponsor 
Senator Inouye urge favorable consideration of this legislation in a 
timely fashion, so that the Commission can continue its business and 
advisory functions.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1166

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION.

       Section 108(e) of the Act entitled ``An Act to establish 
     the Kalaupapa National Historical Park in the State of 
     Hawaii, and for other purposes'' (16 U.S.C. 410jj-7) is 
     amended by striking ``twenty-five years from'' and inserting 
     ``on the date that is 45 years after''.
                                 ______