[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2135-E2136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      H.R. 2786, THE NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND SELF-
                   DETERMINATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 27, 2008

  Ms. HIRONO. I rise in support of H.R. 2786, the Native American 
Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act, NAHASDA. 
Reauthorization of NAHASDA through FY2012 will ensure that safe, 
decent, and affordable housing is available to low-income American 
Indian and Alaska Native families.
  At the same time, I am very troubled by the obstructionist tactics of 
certain Republicans in

[[Page E2136]]

the Senate that resulted in stripping reauthorization of the Native 
Hawaiian Housing Block Grant and Loan Guarantee Program from the final 
version of this bill. Native Hawaiians, like other indigenous peoples 
of the United States, are members of traditionally underserved 
communities and deserve equitable participation in federal programs 
with American Indians and Alaska Natives.
  Legislation will be reintroduced next year that will reauthorize 
funding for the Native Hawaiian housing program to ensure that the 
affordable housing needs of Native Hawaiians are addressed. Since the 
inception of the Native Hawaiian housing program in FY2002, $37 million 
has been awarded to Hawaii to support much-needed affordable housing 
activities for low-income Native Hawaiians who are eligible to reside 
on Hawaiian home lands. I believe in the importance of Native Hawaiian 
programs, and I will continue to champion these programs.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 2786, and I ask for your 
support to correct this unfair exclusion of Native Hawaiians.

                          ____________________