Lynn A. Westmoreland: “as I listen to the debate on this bill, and I agree with the majority of this bill, I heard the word ``tribe'' used over…”

“as I listen to the debate on this bill, and I agree with the majority of this bill, I heard the word ``tribe'' used over and over, and I think that was the intent of this, for Native American tribes to be recognized and be given the housing assistance and also the infrastructure assistance and all the things that they need. And I think it is very important that we recognize exactly who these tribes are. What this amendment does, it strikes the section about the Native Hawaiians. Native Hawaiians share none of the unique characteristics possessed by recognized tribes in this country. Native Hawaiians never exercised sovereignty over Hawaiian lands or lived as a separate, distinct, racially exclusive community. All Hawaiians were subject to the same monarch in the late 1800s, regardless of race. Native Hawaiians have never exercised inherent sovereignty as a native indigenous people, and our Constitution seeks to eliminate racial separation, not promote it. How can we promote equality while separating our people? Tribes seeking recognition after statehood must adhere to a process established by the Federal Government. To be formally recognized, a tribe must demonstrate it has operated as a sovereign entity for the past century, was a separate and distinct community, and had a preexisting political organization. The Native Hawaiian people cannot meet these criteria. The time for Native Hawaiians to establish themselves as an Indian tribe has since passed.”