Political Quotes

“Today I introduce the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009. While this legislation is especially significant to Native Hawaiians, I introduce this measure for all the people of Hawaii. This bill authorizes a process to extend federal recognition to Hawaii's indigenous people for the purposes of a government-to-government relationship with the United States. This benefits all the people of Hawaii, as they will now have a structured, formal process to come together to address many unresolved issues confronting our state and our residents. Unlike our Nation's other indigenous people, the Federal policy of self-governance and self-determination has not been extended to Native Hawaiians. The bill addresses this need and establishes parity. It provides Native Hawaiians a formal opportunity to participate in making policy decisions and empowers them to interact at the State and Federal levels through a government-to-government relationship. The legislation is consistent with federal and state law and allows Native Hawaiians to be treated the same way as our country's other indigenous people. The United States has recognized and upheld a responsibility for the wellbeing of indigenous, native people, including Native Hawaiians. Congress has enacted more than 160 statutes to address the needs of Native Hawaiians. In 1993, I sponsored a measure commonly known as the Apology Resolution that was enacted into law.”