The legislature of the State of Hawaii, which represents all of the people of Hawaii has time and again passed resolutions in support of this legislation.

Congress retains some jurisdiction because of the creation of the Hawaiian Homes Commissions Act.

I cannot disagree more strongly with that statement because there was a Kingdom of Hawaii recognized by the United States.

They are wrong. As I said, there are appropriate lines of cases that apply to the special relationship that the United States has native peoples.

They do not belong to the State? No. It is held in trust, and, of course, one of the trust purposes is for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.

This is not an equal protection issue. I think this is where the crux of the difference is, that this is not a race-based legislation.

But one of the great attributes of America has always been the ability to look objectively at our history, learn from it, and when possible, to make amends.

I believe how we treat our native indigenous people reflects our values and who we are as a country.

I urge your support of H.R. 2314.

The Native Hawaiian people are an indigenous people this is not race-based legislation.

This decision does not stand for the proposition that Native Hawaiians are non-indigenous people.