Daniel Akaka actually said...

"We must also reaffirm and acknowledge the Department of Education's Federal trust responsibility for American Indian and Alaska Native students."

"But for Native peoples, every day is Native heritage day."

"I want to say aloha and thank you so much for being here today for the Committee's oversight hearing on Reclaiming Our Image and Identity for the Next Seven Generations."

"Ours is a great country, and for us to take time off to give thanks is important to our spirit."