Daniel Inouye: “On August 21, 1999, the State of Hawaii celebrated its 40th anniversary as the 50th State of this great Nation.…”

“On August 21, 1999, the State of Hawaii celebrated its 40th anniversary as the 50th State of this great Nation. Statehood for Hawaii was not a sudden or impulsive idea. During the debate on statehood for Hawaii in the House of Representatives in March 1959, there were no fewer than 88 bills pending that would have, if enacted, admitted Hawaii as a State. The people of Hawaii, through our territorial legislature, had petitioned the Congress for statehood on 17 different occasions. Back in the fifties, times were very different. In those days, the concept of statehood for a group of tiny islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean seemed far-fetched to many. However, the admission of Alaska removed the doubts of those who felt the United States should be one contiguous land mass. After nearly 40 years of Congressional debates, investigations, hearings, and visitations, we achieved what so many of us in the Territory of Hawaii deeply desired. The State of Hawaii has come a long way since 1959 and I am very proud of the achievements of the people of Hawaii. I believe Hawaii has proven to be a credit to our Nation.”