Daniel Akaka

I absolutely agree. I would agree with the statements that have been made before me that the United States has authority to legislate in behalf of Native peoples.

Native Hawaiians are clearly a nation, both prior to and after contact with Europeans.

At the time, President Grover Cleveland characterized America's conduct as an 'act of war' against the Native Hawaiian people.

The United States has federally recognized more than 560 Indian tribes.

On behalf of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, I ask that you approve this bill so we can work toward recognition and continue doing good work for all the people of Hawaii.

Obviously, if the kind of parade of horribles that some may have dreamed up were happening elsewhere, we would see States and localities and American citizens beating your doors down for changes in our longstanding policy of Indian and…

There is absolutely nothing in the legislation that I see that is remotely relevant to that alleged risk.

The United States has not always acted honorably in its treatment of our Nation's First People.

It is needed because in 1893, the Native Hawaiian government, led by Queen Lili'uokalani, was illegally overthrown.

This legislation provides parity. It enables Hawaii's indigenous people to establish a government-to-government relationship with the United States.

We must ensure that Native Hawaiians have the same opportunities as other Americans.

This Senator believes there should be no doubt on the question of the existence of Native Hawaiians.

2009 is the year that Congress should enact S. 1011.

We do have distinct Hawaiian communities.

Mahalo. Thank you for your responses.

An essential component of the next Surface Transportation Reauthorization will be increasing the availability of resources to repair, upgrade, and expand rail transit systems.

Well, thank you very much for that.

We are looking forward to that, especially because so many things have happened in the past 2 years.

As a former music teacher, I believe these types of classes are valuable for young people.

I believe solid training and mentoring are crucial in molding successful teachers.

Highly publicized failures of VA to deliver quality health care, and a lack of accountability at high levels for those failures, have impacted veterans' confidence in the system.

It is my firm belief that only someone with qualifications such as those possessed by Dr. Petzel could meet the challenges facing the next VA Under Secretary for Health.

As modern medicine is able to save more lives on the battlefield than ever before, VA is facing new challenges in adapting to the needs of the most seriously injured.

The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs will come to order.

I intend to do all that I can to bring it to the full Senate during this legislative period.