Rep. Ed Case said the signing ceremony was an emotional one, and brought tears to his eyes.

"I found myself tearing up at having so much effort pay off so well. This was a spectacular event," Case said.

"Anyone who knows the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands knows how truly unique and relatively intact, yet how vulnerable and endangered, it is. And we have known as well what an incredible opportunity and obligation we have had to seek the maximum level of permanent protection so that this world can first survive and then truly bloom again, as it was before mankind arrived and as it can and should be for all time," Case said.

Sen. Daniel Inouye also praised the designation.

"Our people have labored long and hard with NOAA toward the preservation and conservation of this precious resource, and it is gratifying to know that our efforts have drawn the support of a second president," Inouye said, referring to President Clinton's earlier establishment of the region as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve.

"Working side-by-side toward the common goal of giving these islands back to our children as a healthy and vibrant ecosystem has brought our people together," Inouye said.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie said he helped fight for protection of the region during the Clinton administration, and has continued to support preservation of the reefs and islands.