last week we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the United States Department of Agriculture, also known as the USDA. On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation to create the USDA. Since this day, the USDA has made major…

let me start by expressing my deep appreciation to you for holding a hearing on the important issue of marine debris resulting from the great Japanese tsunami of 2011.

I have therefore worked to secure increased annual support for the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

I am hopeful that we can pass this bill out of the Senate in the near future.

It is therefore incumbent on us to deal with this real and persistent management problem.

[a] loss or significant reduction of Federal funds to [the Corporation for Public Broadcasting] would impact--negatively and dramatically--all currently funded stations.

I strongly agree with this statement.

I agree that public broadcasting is a vital part of our media landscape.

the late Senator Ted Stevens originally authored the Alaska Native Education Equity, Support and Assistance Act in 1993

I come from humble beginnings. We did not have a lot growing up but we always had what we needed. My mother and father worked very hard to provide for our family and you can be sure they paid their fair share of taxes on their living wage…

You have always been a champion for Hawaii's people.

Congress has understood this relationship for a long time, and began legislating to meet its trust responsibility--can you imagine--over 90 years ago.

You have worked to ensure continued economic self-determination in native communities.

I want to again thank the Hawaii delegation, because this bill has been important to all of us, and to Hawaii.

You created a pathway for the United States and Native Hawaiians to engage in a process of reconciliation.

Native Hawaiians was mentioned the only federally recognized Native people without a government-to-government relationship with the United States.

We strongly support S. 65 and extend our appreciation and mahalo nui to our Senators Akaka and Inouye for the thoughtfulness, inclusion and forethought for our Native Hawaiian population.

I introduce S. 65, the Hawaiian Homeownership Act, because I believe this program is essential to provide affordable housing for the beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Home Lands trust.

The United States has a trust relationship with Native Hawaiians as indigenous people of these islands of the State of Hawaii.

Ms. Kauhane, we appreciate your leadership. Thank you very much.

With passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, Congress set aside 203,500 acres of land to ensure that the Native Hawaiian people had home lands.

I encourage everyone to submit your comments through written testimony.

I will continue to work to ensure that the Native Hawaiian people have their right to self-governance honored.

As Chairman, it is my goal to ensure that we hear from all who want to contribute to the discussion.

Its passage is long overdue, governmental parity for Native Hawaiians, American Indians and Alaska Natives, all of the first nations of the United States is pono, it's the right thing.