Native Hawaiian recognition bill amended for clarity


From Indian Country Today:

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs amended a bill that would establish a process for the federal recognition of Native Hawaiians as a political entity, completing the U.S. systems of relationship with its indigenous people.

Senate bill 147 now states unequivocally that federal funds and programs for Indians cannot be accessed by Native Hawaiians. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairing the March 9 business or ''mark-up'' meeting, said the latest provision ''allays one of my concerns about this bill.''

In later discussion on the committee, McCain said he offered the amendment in deference to concerns of Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., who then expressed others. ''I am concerned about attempts to change it in the future, get more money, make it more of a sovereignty kind of thing.'' Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., a voice not prominent before on the Native Hawaiian recognition bill, expressed warm support for it.

The so-called markup of the bill followed a March 1 committee hearing on S. 147. Linda Lingle, Hawaii's Republican governor, said the business community and every elected official in her state supports it. ''It's been a long road on this bill. But it has been time well spent ... It can meet any objection that has been raised in the past.''

The National Congress of American Indians also testified in support, urging ''speedy passage of S. 147.''

Court actions are proceeding in the state against Native Hawaiian racial preferences, cases that would be undermined or nullified by federal recognition of Native Hawaiians as a political entity. The bill would set such recognition in motion, though it would not in itself accomplish it. Jade Danner of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement said the court actions, if successful, would damage the Native Hawaiian community by eliminating historical preferences in land, education and funding. ''We do not exist anywhere else. We will be extinct. We will be a memory.''


Posted: Fri - March 11, 2005 at 08:41 AM    
   
 
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Published On: Dec 27, 2005 10:12 PM
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