[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2010

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Native American 
Caucus, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2314, the Native 
Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, which will formally extend the 
federal policy of self-determination and self-governance to Native 
Hawaiians.
  I would like to acknowledge Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid, and 
Chairman Rahall for their leadership in bringing this milestone bill to 
the floor. I would also like to thank my colleague Congressman Akaka, 
the author of this legislation, who worked so hard for so many years to 
give Native Hawaiians the opportunity for self governance.
  Mr. Speaker, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act 
provides Native Hawaiians with an opportunity for self determination 
and cultural preservation, while empowering them to be an equal partner 
with the state and federal government. They will finally be on equal 
footing in federal policies toward American Indians, Alaska Natives, 
and Native Hawaiians.
  I am pleased to champion H.R. 2314, which provides the self governing 
opportunities that have been denied to this community for so long. 
Native Hawaiians should have the same opportunity for cultural 
preservation and self-determination as indigenous people on the 
mainland U.S. Just to be clear, this bill does not recognize a Native 
Hawaiian government upon passage, nor exempt a Native Hawaiian 
government from any provision of the U.S. Constitution, Federal law, or 
taxation.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this bill because it will finally extend the 
federal policy of recognition to Native Hawaiians. This legislation is 
yet another example of how Congress is responding to calls for change 
in America.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2314.

                          ____________________