[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 98 (Wednesday, July 10, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H4321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIVE HAWAIIAN EDUCATION ACT

  (Ms. GABBARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, in the coming days, we will soon be taking 
up H.R. 5, the Student Success Act, which is a long overdue 
reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. I'm 
rising today to speak about the need to include in this reauthorization 
the Native Hawaiian Education Act. I've introduced H.R. 2287, which 
does just this. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure 
its passage.
  Last week, when I was in Hawaii, I had the chance to meet with 
parents and educators in the Native Hawaiian Education community on the 
islands of Kauai, Maui, and Molokai. I heard from them about the 
firsthand successes of this program, which has been in place since 
1988.
  Education is, by far, the best investment that we can make in our 
economy and in our future. We are empowering and educating the next 
generation in communities that have largely been underserved, while at 
the same time preserving rich and unique culture, language, and values 
of our native people. The Native Hawaiian Education Act has been 
serving our kids for the last 25 years. It's critical that these 
innovative programs continue.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the NHEA and other 
programs that can enable and empower our underserved communities to 
thrive.

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