Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

* Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Native American Caucus, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2314, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, which will formally extend the federal policy of self-determination and self-governance to Native Hawaiians.

* I would like to acknowledge Speaker PELOSI, Majority Leader REID, and Chairman RAHALL for their leadership in bringing this milestone bill to the floor. I would also like to thank my colleague Congressman AKAKA, the author of this legislation, who worked so hard for so many years to give Native Hawaiians the opportunity for self governance.

* Mr. Speaker, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act provides Native Hawaiians with an opportunity for self determination and cultural preservation, while empowering them to be an equal partner with the state and federal government. They will finally be on equal footing in federal policies toward American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

* I am pleased to champion H.R. 2314, which provides the self governing opportunities that have been denied to this community for so long. Native Hawaiians should have the same opportunity for cultural preservation and self-determination as indigenous people on the mainland U.S. Just to be clear, this bill does not recognize a Native Hawaiian government upon passage, nor exempt a Native Hawaiian government from any provision of the U.S. Constitution, Federal law, or taxation.

* Mr. Speaker, I support this bill because it will finally extend the federal policy of recognition to Native Hawaiians. This legislation is yet another example of how Congress is responding to calls for change in America.

* Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2314.

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