[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION ACT 
                                OF 2007

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                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2007

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill 
which is a companion measure to legislation introduced by Senator 
Daniel Akaka in the Senate this morning. This measure is called the 
Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007. The purpose of 
the bill is to provide a process for the reorganization of the Native 
Hawaiian governing entity for the purposes of a federally recognized 
government-to-government relationship.
  On this day 114 years ago, the monarchy of the Kingdom of Hawaii was 
overthrown by agents of the United States. This injustice created 
wounds and issues that have never been healed or resolved. Fourteen 
years ago, the United States government took a step toward reconciling 
this part of history by passing a resolution which acknowledged the 
overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii and offered an apology to Native 
Hawaiians.
  The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act would take another 
step in the reconciliation process by providing Native Hawaiians the 
same right of self-governance and self-determination that are afforded 
to other indigenous peoples. Since Hawaii was annexed as a territory, 
the United States has treated Native Hawaiians in a manner similar to 
that of American Indians and Alaska Natives. This bill would formalize 
that relationship and establish parity in federal policies towards all 
of our indigenous peoples.
  This bill will also provide a structured process to address the 
longstanding issues resulting from the overthrow of the Kingdom of 
Hawaii. This discussion has been avoided for far too long because no 
one has known how to address or deal with the emotions that arise when 
these matters are discussed. There has been no structured process. 
Instead, there has been fear as to what the discussion would entail, 
causing people to avoid the issues. Such behavior has led to high 
levels of anger and frustration, as well as misunderstandings between 
Native Hawaiians and non-Native Hawaiians.
  The bill provides a structured process to negotiate and resolve these 
issues with the federal and state governments and will alleviate the 
growing mistrust, misunderstanding, anger, and frustration about these 
matters.
  This measure is supported by Hawaii's Governor, Linda Lingle, 
Hawaii's Congressional delegation, and the Hawaii State Legislature. 
The bill is also supported by a number of organizations in Hawaii who 
have passed resolutions in support of enacting this bill.
  I ask my colleagues to support this measure and advance the 
reconciliation process for our people.




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