Posted at 1:51 p.m., Thursday, June 8, 2006
Senate's vote on Akaka bill draws reaction
Advertiser Staff
Here are some of the statements that have been released following today's action in the U.S. Senate on the Akaka bill:
"This is a major setback - not only for Native Hawaiians, but for everyone who believes in justice for indigenous people. By misrepresenting its contents and its intentions, the Akaka Bill's opponents have succeeded in keeping the bill from being heard and debated by the full Senate. But Sen. Akaka and his many allies have promised to reintroduce the measure — and they deserve our enthusiastic support.
"This setback does not end our quest for justice."
"Sadly, the noble values of equality, fairness and strength in diversity, hallmarks of our state and our country, fell victim to politics, rhetoric and procedural maneuvering. The central issue of federal recognition for Hawai'i's indigenous people has yet to be given its fair examination.
"I am disappointed that we did not overcome the procedural obstacles to bring the bill to the floor, but I am heartened by the fact that 56 Senators supported our efforts. I have always said that we had the votes to enact this bill on an up or down vote."
"We must continue to move forward for Native Hawaiians, the people of Hawai'i and everyone in this country who believe that ours is a nation which treats all of its people with an equitable hand."
(To view Akaka's full statement, see visit http://akaka.senate.gov.)
"It is a core moral and constitutional principle of the United States that equal protection of our laws and equal participation in our government should never again be denied to Americans because of race or ethnicity. And it is a clear provision of our Constitution that American states be guaranteed a 'Republican Form of Government.' Both would be endangered by Senator Akaka's Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, which was just defeated on the Senate floor moments ago.
"Senator Akaka's legislation would have created a new, independent government within our country – a government defined by and composed of a specific racial group. Worse still, Senator Akaka recently made clear that this race-based government would have been under no obligation to remain within the United States or to adhere to the most basic of our political principles: "[T]he governing entity will make a decision as to what happens to independence or returning to the monarchy."
(To view Frist's full statement, visit http://www.volpac.org/index.cfm?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=316)
"Sen. Dan Akaka is a man of extraordinary vision, compassion and conviction. Thanks to his efforts, leaders at the highest levels of our government now support his efforts to provide Native Hawaiians, equal standing with other indigenous peoples in the United States.
"Regretfully, the Akaka Bill can go no further in this Congress thanks to the 11th-hour intervention and fear mongering by the Bush Administration and his Department of Justice.
"However, Sen. Akaka's efforts on behalf of Hawaiians and all the people of Hawai'i will continue and I will continue to stand with him."
