Political Quotes

“I support H.R. 4904, a bill that clarifies the relationship between Native Hawaiians and the United States. This legislation provides for Federal recognition of the Native Hawaiian government for purposes of establishing a government-to-government relationship similar to that of the Native Americans and the Alaska Natives. Congress has passed over 150 statutes addressing the needs of Native Hawaiians. In 1993, we passed an apology bill acknowledging the role of the United States Government in the overthrow of the Hawaiian nation in 1893. The apology bill recognizes that the Native Hawaiians never relinquished their inherent sovereignty. This legislation has received wide support. It is supported by the Hawaii delegation, the Native Hawaiians, the administration, the National Congress of American Indians, and the Alaska Federation of Natives. I want to thank my colleague, Representative Neil Abercrombie from Hawaii, for this tireless effort to bring justice to the Native Hawaiians. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.”