[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 3, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E296-E297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2010

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2314, 
the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009. This act 
recognizes the past injustices suffered by native populations, and with 
this act the United States can begin to move forward with a more 
positive government-to-government relationship.
  American Indians and Alaska Natives have the right to govern their 
own affairs and determine their membership. Native Hawaiians should 
also have the right to self-governance and self-determination.
  H.R. 2314 establishes a process for federal recognition of one Native 
Hawaiian governing entity and authorizes negotiations between the

[[Page E297]]

state of Hawaii, the U.S. government, and the new entity on future 
issues. It begins to reconcile the past injustices suffered by native 
populations and allows us to move forward with a more positive 
relationship.
  Opponents of this bill attempt to argue that Congress is creating 
race-based governments. Clearly, they fail to understand the 
sovereignty of tribal nations. H.R. 2314 is not based on racial status, 
rather a political status that has existed for centuries. The bill does 
not exempt the governing entity from the U.S. Constitution, from 
federal law or from taxation. It does not transfer land or establish 
gaming or authorize secession. It simply and formally recognizes the 
sovereignty of Native Hawaiians, which should have happened a long time 
ago.
  In the 110th Congress, I voted for a similar bill (H.R. 505) that 
passed the House with bipartisan support on October 24, 2007, but was 
never considered by the Senate.
  As a member of the Congressional Native American Caucus, I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 2314, and I urge the Senate to pass this 
legislation.

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