[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 796]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION ACT 
                                OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 25, 2005

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to introduce the 
Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, also known as the Akaka 
Bill. This legislation is supported by the Hawaii State Legislature, 
Governor Linda Lingle, numerous Native Hawaiian organizations and a 
variety of other ethnic and Native American groups. This bill 
represents another step in the reconciliation process between Native 
Hawaiians and the U.S. federal government.
  On January 17, 1893, the government of the Kingdom of Hawaii was 
overthrown by a group of American citizens, who acted with the support 
of U.S. Minister John Stephens and a contingent of U.S. Marines from 
the USS Boston. One hundred years later, a resolution extending an 
apology on behalf of the United States to Native Hawaiians for the 
illegal overthrow of the Native Hawaiian government and calling for a 
reconciliation of the relationship between the United States and Native 
Hawaiians was enacted into law.
  This measure continues the reconciliation process by establishing a 
procedure through which a Native Hawaiian governing entity could 
achieve federal recognition if it chooses to do so. This recognition 
would extend the policy of self-governance and self determination 
currently extended to American Indians and Alaska Natives. It also 
protects existing Native Hawaiian programs and begins to address the 
claims of the Native Hawaiian people. This bill does not authorize 
Native Hawaiians to conduct gaming.
  This legislation is critical to the future of the State of Hawaii. 
Most importantly, Native Hawaiians deserve the right to decide their 
future and chart their own destiny. It is time their inherent rights 
are restored.
  I urge my colleagues to resolve these longstanding issues with the 
Native Hawaiians and support this legislation.

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