[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ON INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION ACT OF 
                                  2007

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2007

  Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support 
for the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007, which is 
being introduced today by Senators Akaka and Inouye in the Senate and 
by Congressman Abercrombie and me in the House.
  The central purpose of the bill is to extend the federal policy of 
self-determination and self-governance provided to the other indigenous 
peoples of the United States--American Indians and Alaskan Natives--to 
Native Hawaiians. In addition, the bill establishes an office in the 
Department of the Interior to focus on Native Hawaiian issues and 
establishes a federal interagency working group.
  The United States Congress has a long history of treating Native 
Hawaiians as an indigenous people. The special relationship Native 
Hawaiians have with the Federal Government is evidenced by the more 
than 160 statutes Congress has passed over the years to address the 
needs of the Native Hawaiian people. Nonetheless, the Rice v. Cayetano 
Supreme Court decision highlighted the need to clarify the authority of 
Congress to deal with Hawaii's indigenous people on a government-to-
government basis under the U.S. Constitution's Indian Commerce Clause.
  I attended the Rice v. Cayetano hearing at the Supreme Court while I 
was serving as Hawaii's lieutenant governor. I wanted to hear first 
hand where the Justices were on the question of whether Hawaiians are 
indigenous people. Clearly, there was a lack of understanding on this 
point, which resulted in an unfavorable decision in the case.
  It is important to note that the Native Hawaiian Government 
Reorganization Act, also known as the Akaka bill, enjoys wide support 
in the State of Hawaii. As demonstrated by the introduction of these 
bills, the entire Congressional delegation supports the bill. Hawaii's 
Republican governor also supports the bill, as do the majority of 
elected officials in the State.
  Today is the 114th anniversary of the illegal overthrow of the 
Kingdom of Hawaii. It is fitting that we come together on this day to 
pledge to restore to the Native Hawaiian people the inherent right of 
self-determination our Nation has granted to the other indigenous 
peoples of our Nation.

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