[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 28, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8203-S8204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 225--RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY 
        OF THE ENTRY OF HAWAII INTO THE UNION AS THE 50TH STATE

  Mr. INOUYE (for himself and Mr. Akaka) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 225

       Whereas August 21, 2009, marks the 50th anniversary of 
     Proclamation 3309, signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower, which 
     admitted Hawaii into the Union in compliance with the Hawaii 
     Admission Act (Public Law 86-3; 73 Stat. 4), enacted into law 
     on March 18, 1959;
       Whereas Hawaii is a place like no other, with people like 
     no other, and bridges mainland United States to the Asia-
     Pacific region;
       Whereas the 44th President of the United States, Barack 
     Obama, was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961;
       Whereas Hawaii contributed to a more diverse Congress by 
     electing--

[[Page S8204]]

       (1) the first Native Hawaiian member of Congress, Prince 
     Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole;
       (2) the first Asian-American Senator, Hiram Fong;
       (3) the first woman of color elected to Congress, Patsy T. 
     Mink;
       (4) the first Native Hawaiian to serve in the Senate, 
     Daniel Kahikina Akaka; and
       (5) the first Japanese American to serve in the Senate, 
     Daniel Ken Inouye;

       Whereas Hawaii is an example to the rest of the world of 
     unity and positive race relations;
       Whereas Pearl Harbor is a strategic United States military 
     base in the Pacific and became a national historic site after 
     the December 7, 1941, surprise aerial attack by Japan that 
     thrust the United States into World War II;
       Whereas Hawaii is home to \1/4\ of the endangered species 
     in the United States;
       Whereas Hawaii has 8 national parks, which preserve 
     volcanoes, complex ecosystems, a colony for victims of 
     Hansen's disease, and other sites of historical and cultural 
     significance;
       Whereas Kilauea ranks among the most active volcanoes on 
     Earth;
       Whereas President George W. Bush nominated the 
     Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument to the United 
     Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 
     World Heritage Centre for consideration for the World 
     Heritage List;
       Whereas Hawaii has produced musical legends ranging from 
     traditional favorites such as Alfred Apaka, Don Ho, and Genoa 
     Keawe, to Hawaii renaissance performers such as Eddie Kamae, 
     Raymond Kane, Gabby Pahinui, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, the 
     Brothers Cazimero, and the Beamer Brothers, to contemporary 
     stars such as Keali'i Reichel, Ledward Kaapana, Jake 
     Shimabukuro, and Raiatea Helm;
       Whereas Hawaii is culturally rich because the Hawaiian 
     culture has been protected through Hawaiian language 
     immersion schools, hula competitions such as the Merrie 
     Monarch Festival, canoeing voyages undertaken by vessels such 
     as the Hokule'a, and the continuing historic preservation of 
     Hawaiian traditions;
       Whereas the Hawaii Statehood Commission held a Joint 
     Session of the Hawaii State Legislature in honor of statehood 
     and will celebrate the milestone with a public discussion and 
     the arrival of the USS Hawaii; and
       Whereas for all of these reasons Hawaii is a truly unique 
     State: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes and celebrates the 
     50th anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union as the 
     50th State.

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