[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2314, the 
Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, as well as the 
Abercrombie Amendment, and I thank my good friend Mr. Abercrombie for 
his diligent work on this bill.
  H.R. 2314 is long overdue. Since 1959, when Hawaii was admitted to 
the Union as our 50th state, Hawaiian home lands--lands to which native 
Hawaiians are legally entitled--have been administered by the state 
government of Hawaii in trust with the federal government.
  H.R. 2314 simply provides a process for establishing a Native 
Hawaiian governing entity that would represent the interests of Native 
Hawaiians in negotiations with the federal and state governments. It 
would also grant the Native Hawaiian governing entity sovereign 
immunity--the same authority granted to other native Indian 
governments.
  This bill is about empowerment. Native Hawaiians deserve to be able 
to advocate for their self-interest in negotiations with the state and 
federal government.
  This bill is about self-determination. Native Hawaiians deserve a say 
in the welfare and future of their community.
  I have visited Hawaii many times, and the people of Hawaii are near 
and dear to my heart. They have a rich culture and a beautiful heritage 
that they carry on to this day. They deserve a say in their future, and 
they deserve an equitable remedy to their past treatment.

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