Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2314, legislation that has been championed by the Senators from the State of Hawaii in the other body and our colleagues in the House of Representatives representing the Aloha State. Those of us who are privileged to serve on the Committee on Natural Resources with our colleague, the distinguished gentleman from Hawaii, Mr. Abercrombie, have witnessed his tireless efforts on behalf of preserving Native Hawaiian culture and in improving the federal relationship with the Native Hawaiian people. His passion and deep resolve on the issues important to his State and our country, as well as working class families, is revered and respected. It is fitting that the House take up this legislation during his final days of service in this Congress, and I want to emphasize on behalf of the people of Guam, who I represent, my support for its swift passage and enactment. This is an indigenous peoples issue, and the indigenous peoples of the offshore territories are especially sensitive to the situation at- hand with regard to Native Hawaiians. Our governance system must be devised and shaped to respect their culture and to allow for their needs to be adequately addressed. I ask Members to recall the history of the annexation of their islands under the U.S. Flag and the overthrow of their Kingdom, for which Congress has previously recognized and extended an apology.…”