[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19419-19422]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HAWAII STATEHOOD

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 593) recognizing and celebrating the 50th 
Anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union as the 50th State, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 593

       Whereas August 21, 2009, marks the 50th Anniversary of 
     President Dwight D. Eisenhower's signing of Proclamation 
     3309, which admitted Hawaii into the Union in compliance with 
     the Hawaii Admission Act, enacted by the United States 
     Congress on March 18, 1959;
       Whereas Hawaii is ``a place like no other, with a people 
     like no other'' and bridges the mainland United States to the 
     Asia-Pacific region;
       Whereas the 44th President of the United States, Barack 
     Obama, was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961;
       Whereas Hawaii has contributed to the diversity of Congress 
     in electing--
       (1) the first Native Hawaiian to serve in Congress, Prince 
     Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana`ole;
       (2) the first Asian-American to serve in the Senate, Hiram 
     Fong;
       (3) the first woman of color to serve in Congress, Patsy T. 
     Mink;
       (4) the first Native Hawaiian to serve in the Senate, 
     Daniel Kahikina Akaka; and
       (5) the first Japanese-American to serve in the Senate, 
     Daniel Ken Inouye;

       Whereas Hawaii is an example to the rest of the world of 
     unity and positive race relations;
       Whereas Pearl Harbor is a strategic military base for the 
     U.S. in the Pacific and also a historical site for the 
     Nation, being the location of the December 7, 1941, surprise 
     Japanese aerial attack that thrust the Nation into World War 
     II;
       Whereas Hawaii is home to \1/4\ of the endangered species 
     in the United States;
       Whereas Hawaii has 8 national parks, which preserve 
     volcanoes, complex ecosystems, a Hansen's disease colony, and 
     other sites of historical and cultural significance;
       Whereas Kilauea ranks among the most active volcanoes on 
     Earth;
       Whereas President Bush nominated the Papahanaumokuakea 
     Marine National Monument to the United Nations Educational, 
     Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Centre 
     for consideration to the World Heritage List;
       Whereas Hawaii has produced musical legends ranging from 
     traditional favorites such as Alfred Apaka, Don Ho, and Genoa 
     Keawe, to Hawaii renaissance performers such as Eddie Kamae, 
     Raymond Kane, Gabby Pahinui, Israel Kamakawiwo`ole, the 
     Brothers Cazimero, and the Beamer Brothers, and continuing on 
     to contemporary stars such as Keali`i Reichel, Ledward 
     Kaapana, Jake Shimabukuro, and Raiatea Helm;
       Whereas Hawaii is culturally rich, as the Hawaiian culture 
     has been protected through Hawaiian language immersion 
     schools, hula competitions such as the Merrie Monarch 
     Festival, canoeing voyages undertaken by vessels like the 
     Hokule`a, and the continuing historic preservation of 
     Hawaiian traditions;
       Whereas the Hawaii Statehood Commission has held a Joint 
     Session of the Hawaii State Legislature in honor of statehood 
     and will be celebrating this milestone with a public 
     discussion and with the arrival of the USS Hawaii; and
       Whereas for all of these reasons Hawaii is a truly unique 
     State: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes and 
     celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into 
     the Union as the 50th State.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Bachmann) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 593, a resolution recognizing 
and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the 
Union as our 50th State.
  The gentleman from Hawaii, Mr. Neal Abercrombie, introduced this 
measure on June 26, 2009; and having met all of the Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform requirements and criteria, the bill is 
now being considered today on the House floor. I should add that the 
measure comes to the floor with bipartisan support from over 56 
cosponsors, demonstrating this body's eagerness to celebrate the 
admittance of our 50th State, the Aloha State.
  Hawaii is one of our country's great treasures. Its cultural heritage 
is rooted in centuries of precolonial history, and the State continues 
to protect it with efforts such as Hawaiian language immersion schools 
and cultural centers. It is home to Pearl Harbor, the headquarters of 
the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet and the site of the surprise attack that 
led the U.S. to enter the Second World War. Its eight national parks 
preserve rich natural beauty and intricate ecosystems that support one-
fourth of the endangered species in the United States.
  Hawaii also contributes to the racial and ethnic diversity of our 
Nation and of this Congress. It elected this body's first woman of 
color, Patsy T. Mink; as well as its first Asian American, Hiram Fong. 
It has also elected Native Hawaiians to Congress, including Senator 
Daniel Akaka. The State also enjoys being the childhood home State of 
our current Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 
50th anniversary of the State of Hawaii by supporting this measure.

[[Page 19420]]

  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 593.
  This summer, on August 21, our Nation will celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of the entry of the beautiful island of Hawaii into the 
United States. It was in 1959, Madam Speaker, that then-President 
Dwight David Eisenhower signed Proclamation 3309 proclaiming the 
beautiful State of Hawaii as our 50th State.
  Hawaii is one of four United States that were independent prior to 
statehood. The Kingdom of Hawaii existed from 1810 through 1893, and it 
was an independent republic between 1894 and 1898, when it became a 
United States territory. It was in 1900 that Hawaii was granted self-
governance; and though many attempts were made to achieve statehood, 
Hawaii remained a territory for nearly 60 years.
  The road to statehood for Hawaii was not without its challenges. One 
of the most devastating times in the history of not only Hawaii but of 
the Nation as well was the attack on Pearl Harbor and the outbreak of 
World War II, which interrupted the drive for statehood. But, finally, 
on August 21 victory was achieved in 1959 when Hawaii was admitted to 
the Union.
  During the last 50 years, Hawaii has contributed immeasurably to the 
richness of our way of life here in the United States. The 
contributions of Asian Pacific Americans have enhanced and benefited 
our rich cultural heritage in so many ways, not the least of which 
include the arts, sciences, mathematics, sports, commerce, and many 
other aspects of American culture, not the least of which is great 
American tourism.
  Hawaii has also contributed to the diversity of our Congress by 
electing, as my colleague said, the Native Hawaiian Members of 
Congress: Prince Jonah Kalaniana'ole; the first Asian American Member 
as well, as my colleague mentioned, Mr. Hiram Fong; the first woman of 
color, and we are so pleased, Patsy Mink; and the first Native Hawaiian 
to serve in the Senate, Daniel Akaka.
  It is well known that Hawaii is home to some of the country's most 
beautiful landmarks and landscapes and some of the most diverse weather 
as well in the United States, including eight national parks, which 
preserve volcanoes, our Nation's fragile ecosystem, and the sites of 
historical national significance.
  Hawaiians are also known to be a people with a great sense of pride 
in their history, their tradition, which can be found in their 
traditional music, dance, and sporting events.
  Our Nation is so grateful to the contributions of Native Hawaiians. 
But most of all it is the stunning beauty of these tropical islands 
that leave many residents and visitors with a desire to share in the 
experiences of our 50th State and return again and again and again for 
Hawaii's wonderful, not-to-be-repeated hospitality.
  Hawaii truly is a place like no other with a people like no other. 
And this August we all gather to recognize and celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union as the 50th State.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 5 minutes 
to my good friend and proud native of Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie).
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Madam Speaker, mahalo nui. Thank you very much.
  I thank Representative Clay very much for his gracious introduction 
to this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I am filled with great emotion today. There are a lot 
of dates being celebrated. Representative Clay's birthday is today, 
and, of course, we want to wish him a very happy birthday.
  I introduced this resolution on my birthday, June 26. It was about 
that time 50 years ago that I understood that I would be able to go to 
Hawaii. Just before that I had been informed that I had received a 
teaching assistantship at the University of Hawaii and that I would be 
soon on my way at the end of the summer to begin what became 50 years 
in Hawaii. So I have that same anniversary.
  The statehood, of course, came August 21, and the first week in 
September, Neil Abercrombie arrived in Honolulu and knew almost 
immediately that I would never leave if given the opportunity to stay.

                              {time}  1630

  It is also going to be the birthday, of course, in a week or so, of 
President Obama, born in Kapiolani Hospital, just down the road from 
where I lived.
  As I said, it is great emotion for me, a great time of nostalgia. I 
arrived in Hawaii at the same time as President Obama's father. We met 
those first days in our matriculation at the University of Hawaii. Of 
course, I could not possibly conceive at that time that the young man 
who was to be born out of the union of Ann Dunham and Barak, Sr., would 
become President of the United States. So there is a great confluence 
of history taking place over the next month or so with the entry of the 
50th State, the last State of the Union.
  As Mr. Clay indicated, there are also some very, very interesting 
firsts, if you will. We were maybe the last State to come into the 
Union, but we had some very, very interesting firsts, and I want to 
congratulate Representative Bachmann on her superb pronunciation of 
Prince Kuhio's last name, Kalanianaole. You said it perfectly. Thank 
you very much indeed.
  I know you must have struggled with that, because I remember my first 
day in the classroom, the first Saturday, 8 o'clock in the morning, 
teaching the lab course in sociology, determined to say the Hawaiian 
names right, and I remember the first one was Samson Poomahealani, a 
center on the football team. He became my good friend, and we 
celebrated the 50th anniversary of our friendship just the past month 
when we got together. Samson went on to do great things with the labor 
movement in this country.
  It is that kind of occasion. You can see it on my face, you can hear 
it in my voice. This is a time of great joy for us.
  Yes, the first Asian American Senator, Republican Senator Hiram Fong, 
lived almost a century. He was the first Asian American, Chinese 
American, Senator. And, of course, Patsy Mink, our beloved Patsy Mink, 
whom we miss every day. And Danny Akaka, perhaps the best-loved person 
in the Congress, of whom never a bad word has been said. Don't we all 
wish the same could be said of us? And, of course, the Congressional 
Medal of Honor winner, the third longest-serving Senator in the United 
States, Daniel K. Inouye, serves now as the chairman of the 
Appropriations Committee, the first Japanese American to serve in the 
Senate.
  There are some other dates I think of interest to all of us; 1778, 
James Cook comes to Waimea Bay near Kauai. Then in 1795, Kamehameha I, 
whose statue is very prominent in the Visitors Center right now, 
establishing the Hawaiian monarchy.
  On February 24, 1954, Mr. Speaker, a 250-pound petition containing 
120,000 signatures in favor of statehood was delivered to the Congress, 
and then in March of 1959, this House of Representatives passed the 
Hawaii statehood bill, 323-89. I am sure the 89 all had a chance to 
visit and regretted their votes against it. Of course, then President 
Eisenhower signed the proclamation, making us the 50th State on August 
24.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I can say from the bottom of my heart that Hawaii 
has given everything to me. I never conceived, as I indicated earlier, 
that I would ever have a chance to represent Hawaii in Congress. It is 
more than an honor and a privilege to do so.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman's time has expired.
  Mr. CLAY. I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. So I now ask all then to join with us in this joyous 
occasion where we have the opportunity to celebrate friendships and 
relationships of decades' standing to celebrate the transition of 
Hawaii from the time of a pre-feudal kingdom, a kingdom, a shotgun 
republic, a territory, and now

[[Page 19421]]

a State of the Union, the last State of the Union to this time.
  We are filled with a great sense of gratitude for that which has been 
given to us over these past 50 years, and, of course, pledge at this 
time that even though we were last to join the Union, we are first 
among those who appreciate, understand and take great pride in being a 
State of the United States of America.
  Mrs. BACHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to extend my 
congratulations to my colleague, the distinguished gentleman Mr. Clay, 
on his birthday today. It is also my brother's birthday today, and we 
are so thrilled for this anniversary.
  I come from a State which has recently celebrated its 
sesquicentennial, 150 years, and we know Hawaii will be even more 
beautiful when Hawaii celebrates its sesquicentennial.
  We send a lot of Minnesota dollars to Hawaii with all the tourists 
that we send. Our climate, you may not have noticed, is a little 
different from that of Hawaii. Minnesotans love to visit, and we extend 
the invitation to come back and enjoy our hospitality.
  We have a lot of shoreline, too. We have about 15,000 lakes, and our 
fish are about this big, our muskies. So please come and fish in 
Minnesota, and we will return the favor and often come to visit the 
beautiful State of Hawaii.
  Mr. Speaker, with that, I yield back.
  Mr. CLAY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman, first for 
the happy birthday wish, and I fish a lot, too, so I will try to make 
it to Minnesota also to catch some of those big, whopping fish.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. 
Hirono).
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in wishing Mr. Clay a 
happy birthday.
  I rise in strong support of H. Res. 593, recognizing the 50th 
anniversary of Hawaii's admission as the 50th State of the Union on 
August 21, 1959.
  As my colleagues have mentioned, Hawaii brings a lot to this Nation. 
Our strategic location in the Pacific, our example of tolerance with 
our multicultural population and mix of cultures, our special 
relationship with and understanding of the Asia-Pacific region, and the 
physical beauty and ecological diversity of our islands are just a few 
of the assets we bring to this Nation.
  I have very personal memories about the day Hawaii became a State. I 
was in elementary school at Koko Head Elementary in Honolulu and was 
given the honor of pinning the 50th star on our school flag at a 
special school assembly before sending the flag up the flagpole.
  All Hawaii celebrated that day. To many, statehood represented 
recognition of a State whose multiethnic, multicultural base was 
different from that of any other State, but whose sons and daughters 
were just as American as the people of the other 49 States.
  1959 was also the year I became a naturalized U.S. citizen, and 
apparently was also the year that my colleague, Neil Abercrombie, came 
to Hawaii. And things haven't been the same there since. Hawaii is a 
great State, and it has given me opportunities that I never would have 
had had my mother not brought me to this wonderful, beautiful State.
  But we must always remember that the 50th State is also the native 
land of Hawaii's indigenous population, the Native Hawaiians. I am 
hopeful that this year we will be able to move forward to a 
reconciliation with the Native Hawaiian people, who lost their country 
and queen, by passing the Native Hawaii Government Reorganization Act. 
This act will provide the Native Hawaiians with the same rights of 
self-determination enjoyed by American Indians and Alaskan Natives.
  Hawaii's population is made up of persons of Native Hawaiian, 
Japanese, Chinese, Irish, German, Portuguese, Puerto Rican, Filipino, 
French, Scottish, Korean, Samoan, Dutch, Tongan, Vietnamese, and 
African descent and more, plus combinations of these various 
ethnicities. It is not unusual, for example, for someone to identify 
themselves as Hawaiian, German, Chinese and Filipino. Although we have 
not eliminated prejudice, the people of Hawaii have learned to live 
together and to enjoy the richness that the mix of cultures has brought 
to our home.
  Today we also celebrate the achievements of people from Hawaii whose 
notable efforts have paved the way for other Americans, such as Olympic 
champion and cultural ambassador Duke Kahanamoku, astronaut Ellison 
Onizuka, as mentioned previously Congresswoman Patsy Mink and President 
Barack Obama, to name a few.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for H. Res. 593.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend, the delegate 
from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman 
from Missouri, for his management of this important bill, and also the 
gentlelady from Minnesota for her support. I didn't realize there were 
fish in Minnesota that big. Maybe if she would catch a 1,000-pound 
marlin, she would see how big a 1,000-pound marlin would be. But, at 
any rate, I thank her for her support.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 593, recognizing and 
celebrating the 50th anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union 
as the 50th State. I commend my colleagues, Congressman Abercrombie and 
Mazie Hirono, for their introduction of this resolution.
  My strong interest in this legislation, Mr. Speaker, is that half of 
my life was spent in Hawaii during my youth that I spent there. The 
eight main islands of Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Molokai, 
Kauai and Niihau span over 1,500 miles in the Pacific Ocean, and Hawaii 
is the only State comprised of islands. It is home to one-fourth of the 
endangered species list, as well as eight national parks, which serve 
to protect volcanoes, rain forest, coral reefs and other complex 
ecosystems.
  In addition to being visually astounding, Hawaii was one of the first 
States to significantly contribute to the diversity of Congress. The 
first Native Hawaiian, the first Asian American, the first woman of 
color, the first Native Hawaiian to serve in the Senate, all hailed 
from the great State of Hawaii.
  A favorite of Elvis Presley, whom I had the privilege of meeting when 
I was working as a youth performer at the Polynesian Cultural Center, 
Hawaii is also legendary for some of the most famous singers in Don Ho, 
Melveen Leed, the late Alfred Apaka and Genoa Keawe.
  The State also has made great efforts to preserve its culture with 
Hawaiian language immersion schools, hula competitions and traditional 
canoe voyages. And what a great thing to remember that it was Duke 
Kahanamoku, the father of surfing, which now has become an 
international sport. And a byproduct of surfing, by the way, happens to 
be the skateboard, which originated from the great State of Hawaii.
  I also want to note, Mr. Speaker, Hawaii is proud to give to our 
Nation her first native son, who is currently the 44th president of the 
United States, President Barack Obama. At the height of the 
presidential campaign last year, Mr. Speaker, I remember there was a 
national blogger going around saying that I was working as a special 
agent of Barack Obama, and the reason for my travel to Indonesia and to 
also visit the school in Jakarta, where Barack Obama had attended, was 
to destroy any records that would indicate that President Obama was 
born in Indonesia, which would obviously have him disqualified to run 
as a candidate for President.
  Well, Mr. Speaker, this blog continues today, giving such gross 
misinformation to the American people. I just want to say it is 
absolute nonsense, and those responsible for this blog should stop it, 
as I am sure there are better things that they can do than to discredit 
our President. President Obama was born in Kapiolani Hospital, 
Honolulu, Hawaii, period.
  Mr. Speaker, the State of Hawaii is also remembered for Pearl Harbor. 
Yes, it has its consequences, reminiscent also of the tremendous 
disservice and

[[Page 19422]]

the problem that we did in mistreatment of over 100,000 Japanese 
Americans. They are Americans who happened to be of Japanese ancestry.

                              {time}  1645

  It has also produced the 100th Battalion 442nd Infantry, the most 
decorated unit ever in the history of the United States Army, with 
18,000 individual decorations for heroism and bravery in the field of 
battle, over 9,000 Purple Hearts, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, 
and, ironically, only one Medal of Honor, but we corrected that 
mistake. We now have 19 Japanese Americans who were awarded the Medal 
of Honor, which, as my colleague from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) said, 
Senator Inouye was one of those recipients to receive the Medal of 
Honor. For 50 years, members of the unit in Hawaii have brought unique 
and diverse elements to the culture of the United States. I think it 
was Michelle Obama who said, ``If you want to understand more about the 
President, go to Hawaii, and you will understand his sense of 
philosophy, his sense of caring, his sense of wanting to share and to 
make sure that we have proper treatment and how we should be treating 
our fellow human beings.''
  To strive to support the endeavors of the islands of the Pacific and 
to not hesitate to offer any resounding support, I urge my colleagues 
to support this resolution. I think it is worthwhile, and we ought to 
give due recognition to the great State of Hawaii. Again, I thank my 
good friend from Missouri.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend from American 
Samoa for that interesting history and perspective on Hawaii. I want to 
urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 50th anniversary of 
Hawaii's entrance into the Union as our 50th State by supporting this 
measure.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cummings). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 593, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mrs. BACHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________