Statement by John Kerry on Native Hawaiian Self-Determination

[The Sushi Bandit]

“John Edwards and I are committed to improve the lives of Native Hawaiians. Once elected, we will work to support their right to self-determination as a Native people.

“My Democratic colleagues, Senators Akaka and Inouye, and Congressmen Abercrombie and Case, have introduced and championed legislation that provides a process for self-determination that will lead to federal recognition by the federal government of Native Hawaiians. It will also reaffirm that the numerous programs to benefit Native Hawaiians are based on a special and legal relationship between the United States and Hawaii's indigenous peoples and Congress' plenary authority to address the conditions of indigenous peoples.

“I support this legislation, the Akaka bill. As President, I will direct the Departments of Interior and Justice to work closely with the Native Hawaiian people to achieve self-determination under federal law.

“As President, I will also continue to support initiatives to improve education, health care, housing, and economic opportunities for Native Hawaiians. I will also push to create meaningful opportunities, support the preservation of Hawaiian language and cultural programs, and promote self-pride for the next generation of a proud Native people.”

http://www.hawaiidemocrats.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&PageID=69

[Cocoa]

1. Bush statement on Native Hawaiian self-determination

"Native Hawaiian self-determination means just that, um, you're Native, and um you're from Hawaii, and you determine yourself. You natively determine for your Hawaiian self. And the relationship between the federal government and the Hawaiian natives is one between self-determinentities."

[stevedeshazer]

2. Beat me to it

:)

[Robbie67]

3. That's good to hear

kick

[The Sushi Bandit]

4. Agreed!