2006-05-10 Akaka Fact Check - Revision history

Jere Krischel: /* Akaka's remarks with corrections */

2006-05-12T15:50:42Z

‎Akaka's remarks with corrections

Jere Krischel: /* Akaka's remarks with corrections */

2006-05-11T05:58:12Z

‎Akaka's remarks with corrections

Jere Krischel: /* Akaka's remarks with corrections */

2006-05-11T05:55:24Z

‎Akaka's remarks with corrections

Jere Krischel at 02:09, 11 May 2006

2006-05-11T02:09:08Z

Jere Krischel at 22:46, 10 May 2006

2006-05-10T22:46:25Z

Jere Krischel at 22:45, 10 May 2006

2006-05-10T22:45:16Z

Jere Krischel: /* Akaka's remarks with corrections */

2006-05-10T22:41:34Z

‎Akaka's remarks with corrections

Jere Krischel: /* Akaka's remarks with corrections */

2006-05-10T22:07:24Z

‎Akaka's remarks with corrections

Jere Krischel: /* Akaka's remarks with corrections */

2006-05-10T22:04:31Z

‎Akaka's remarks with corrections

Jere Krischel: /* Akaka's remarks with corrections */

2006-05-10T21:57:12Z

‎Akaka's remarks with corrections

@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 Congress has enacted over 160 statutes to address the conditions of Native Hawaiians including the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act, the Native Hawaiian Education Act, and the Native Hawaiian Home Ownership Act. The programs that have been established are administered by federal agencies such as the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and Labor. As you can imagine, these programs go a long way to benefit Native Hawaiians, but they also serve as an important source of employment and income for many, many people in Hawaii, including many non-Native Hawaiians. There are many Hawaii residents whose livelihoods depend on the continuation of these programs and services.
-{{comment|Many of these race-based programs are being challenged in the courts as unconstitutional.  Cases include [http://tinyurl.com/3wu78 Rice v. Cayetano], which found racial restrictions on voting for OHA trustees to be unconstitutional, and [http://tinyurl.com/4t339 Arakaki v. Lingle], which invalidated the racial restriction on running for or serving as OHA trustee.  The second [http://tinyurl.com/3pkgg Arakaki v. Lingle case, “Arakaki II”] which challenges the validity of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, was dismissed by the Hawaii District Court but reinstated by the 9th Circuit to the extent that it challenges the appropriation of tax moneys to OHA.  Both Governor Lingle and the 14 Plaintifffs have petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari (i.e., to review the decisions of the lower courts).
+{{comment|Many of these race-based programs are being challenged in the courts as unconstitutional.  Cases include [http://tinyurl.com/3wu78 Rice v. Cayetano], which found racial restrictions on voting for OHA trustees to be unconstitutional, and [http://tinyurl.com/4t339 Arakaki v. State], which invalidated the racial restriction on running for or serving as OHA trustee.  The second [http://tinyurl.com/3pkgg Arakaki v. Lingle case, “Arakaki II”] which challenges the validity of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, was dismissed by the Hawaii District Court but reinstated by the 9th Circuit to the extent that it challenges the appropriation of tax moneys to OHA.  Both Governor Lingle and the 14 Plaintifffs have petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari (i.e., to review the decisions of the lower courts).
 To try to protect existing race-based programs, through similar legislation of questionable constitutionality creating a racial government out of thin air, is politics at its worst.}}

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 Congress has enacted over 160 statutes to address the conditions of Native Hawaiians including the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act, the Native Hawaiian Education Act, and the Native Hawaiian Home Ownership Act. The programs that have been established are administered by federal agencies such as the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and Labor. As you can imagine, these programs go a long way to benefit Native Hawaiians, but they also serve as an important source of employment and income for many, many people in Hawaii, including many non-Native Hawaiians. There are many Hawaii residents whose livelihoods depend on the continuation of these programs and services.
-{{comment|Many of these race-based programs are being challenged in the courts as unconstitutional.  Cases include [http://tinyurl.com/3wu78 Rice v. Cayetano], which found racial restrictions on voting for OHA trustees to be unconstitutional, and [http://tinyurl.com/3pkgg Arakaki v. Lingle], which invalidated the racial restriction on running for or serving as OHA trustee.  The second [http://tinyurl.com/3pkgg Arakaki v. Lingle case, “Arakaki II”] which challenges the validity of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was dismissed by the Hawaii District Court but reinstated by the 9th Circuit to the extent that it challenges the appropriation of tax moneys to OHA.  Both Governor Lingle and the 14 Plaintifffs have petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari (i.e., to review the decisions of the lower courts).
+{{comment|Many of these race-based programs are being challenged in the courts as unconstitutional.  Cases include [http://tinyurl.com/3wu78 Rice v. Cayetano], which found racial restrictions on voting for OHA trustees to be unconstitutional, and [http://tinyurl.com/4t339 Arakaki v. Lingle], which invalidated the racial restriction on running for or serving as OHA trustee.  The second [http://tinyurl.com/3pkgg Arakaki v. Lingle case, “Arakaki II”] which challenges the validity of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, was dismissed by the Hawaii District Court but reinstated by the 9th Circuit to the extent that it challenges the appropriation of tax moneys to OHA.  Both Governor Lingle and the 14 Plaintifffs have petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari (i.e., to review the decisions of the lower courts).
-To try to protect these race-based programs through similarly unconstitutional legislation creating a racial government out of thin air, is politics at its worst.}}
+To try to protect existing race-based programs, through similar legislation of questionable constitutionality creating a racial government out of thin air, is politics at its worst.}}
 This, colleagues, is why this bill is important to the people of Hawaii. I ask all of you to respect our efforts by voting to bring this bill to the floor for consideration and for a vote.
 {{comment|The issue should be put before the voters of Hawaii first and foremost.  Their voices have not been heard, and sufficient debate has not been had regarding the merits of the fictional history used to support the Akaka bill.}}

@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 Congress has enacted over 160 statutes to address the conditions of Native Hawaiians including the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act, the Native Hawaiian Education Act, and the Native Hawaiian Home Ownership Act. The programs that have been established are administered by federal agencies such as the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Housing and Urban Development, and Labor. As you can imagine, these programs go a long way to benefit Native Hawaiians, but they also serve as an important source of employment and income for many, many people in Hawaii, including many non-Native Hawaiians. There are many Hawaii residents whose livelihoods depend on the continuation of these programs and services.
-{{comment|Many of these race-based programs are being challenged in the courts as unconstitutional.  Cases include [http://tinyurl.com/3wu78 Rice v. Cayetano], which found racial restrictions on voting for OHA trustees to be unconstitutional, and [http://tinyurl.com/3pkgg Arakaki v. Lingle], which is challenging the constitutionality of using state tax revenues to fund race-based programs.  To protect these race-based programs through similarly unconstitutional legislation creating a racial government out of thin air, is politics at its worst.}}
+{{comment|Many of these race-based programs are being challenged in the courts as unconstitutional.  Cases include [http://tinyurl.com/3wu78 Rice v. Cayetano], which found racial restrictions on voting for OHA trustees to be unconstitutional, and [http://tinyurl.com/3pkgg Arakaki v. Lingle], which invalidated the racial restriction on running for or serving as OHA trustee.  The second [http://tinyurl.com/3pkgg Arakaki v. Lingle case, “Arakaki II”] which challenges the validity of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was dismissed by the Hawaii District Court but reinstated by the 9th Circuit to the extent that it challenges the appropriation of tax moneys to OHA.  Both Governor Lingle and the 14 Plaintifffs have petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari (i.e., to review the decisions of the lower courts).
 This, colleagues, is why this bill is important to the people of Hawaii. I ask all of you to respect our efforts by voting to bring this bill to the floor for consideration and for a vote.
 {{comment|The issue should be put before the voters of Hawaii first and foremost.  Their voices have not been heard, and sufficient debate has not been had regarding the merits of the fictional history used to support the Akaka bill.}}

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 As a young child, I was discouraged from speaking Hawaiian because I was told that it would not allow me to succeed in the Western world. My parents lived through the overthrow and endured the aftermath as a time when all things Hawaiian, including language, which they both spoke fluently, hula, custom, and tradition, were viewed as negative. I, therefore, was discouraged from speaking the language and practicing Hawaiian customs and traditions. I was the youngest of eight children. I remember as a young child sneaking to listen to my parents so that I could maintain my ability to understand the Hawaiian language. My experience mirrors that of my generation of Hawaiians.
-{{correction|Akaka's experience is not unique to his generation - the debate over language had been raging in Hawaii since the 1800s.  Helena G. Allen, in her book, "The Betrayal of Liliuokalani", writes on page 111 in the context of discussing Lot Kamerhameha V and the early 1860s:
+{{correction|Akaka's experience is not unique to his generation - the debate over language had been raging in Hawaii since the 1800s.  Helena G. Allen, in her book, "The Betrayal of Liliuokalani", writes on page 111 in the context of discussing Lot Kamehameha V and the early 1860s:
 <blockquote>''"Verbal battles were raging throughout the islands of whether Hawaii should be bilingual or only English speaking.  There was no thought that the language, official or otherwise, should be Hawaiian.  With the loss of a language, as [Lorenzo] Lyons pointed out, comes the destruction of cultural connotations and denotations.  It was, however, becoming fairly obvious that a non-English speaking person could have no important government post.  The country people began to cry to have English taught in their schools, 'Or,' they said, 'we will be nothing.'"</blockquote>
-To insinuate that somehow the Hawaiian Revolution of 1893 or the annexation of Hawaii in 1898 was the start or cause of reduced language proficiency in Hawaiian is disingenous.  Hawaiian parents have strongly encouraged English language learning for generations, and although we may be disappointed that they did not emphasize bilingual education, we cannot blame others for their choices.}}
+To insinuate that somehow the Hawaiian Revolution of 1893 or the annexation of Hawaii in 1898 was the start or cause of reduced language proficiency in Hawaiian is disingenuous.  Hawaiian parents have strongly encouraged English language learning for generations, and although we may be disappointed that they did not emphasize bilingual education, we cannot blame others for their choices.}}
-While my generation learned to accept what was ingrained into us by our parents, my children have had the advantage of growing up during the Hawaiian renaissance, a period of revival for Hawaiian language, custom, and tradition. Benefitting from this revival are my grandchildren who can speak Hawaiian and know so much more about our history.
+While my generation learned to accept what was ingrained into us by our parents, my children have had the advantage of growing up during the Hawaiian renaissance, a period of revival for Hawaiian language, custom, and tradition. Benefiting from this revival are my grandchildren who can speak Hawaiian and know so much more about our history.
 {{comment|1=The Hawaiian renaissance has been of great benefit to all the people of Hawaii, including those who immigrated here before 1778.  The recovery of the language, customs, and traditions has been the work of all races, including prominent non-natives such as Ben Finney and Mau Piailug, who helped bring back celestial navigation to the islands after hundreds of years of absence.

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 <small>(Speech text taken from [http://akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Speeches.Home&month=5&year=2006&release_id=352 Akaka's website].)</small>
 =Point/Counterpoint synopsis=
 {{point|Speaking about his own grandchildren, who speak Hawaiian and take pride in their culture and have studied Hawaiian history, including the overthrow of the monarchy:  "It is THIS generation that is growing impatient with the lack of progress in efforts to resolve longstanding issues.  It is THIS generation that does not understand why we have not resolved these matters.}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:45, 10 May 2006
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		+	<small>(Speech text taken from [http://akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Speeches.Home&month=5&year=2006&release_id=352 Akaka's website].)</small>
	=Point/Counterpoint synopsis=		=Point/Counterpoint synopsis=
	{{point\|Speaking about his own grandchildren, who speak Hawaiian and take pride in their culture and have studied Hawaiian history, including the overthrow of the monarchy: "It is THIS generation that is growing impatient with the lack of progress in efforts to resolve longstanding issues. It is THIS generation that does not understand why we have not resolved these matters.}}		{{point\|Speaking about his own grandchildren, who speak Hawaiian and take pride in their culture and have studied Hawaiian history, including the overthrow of the monarchy: "It is THIS generation that is growing impatient with the lack of progress in efforts to resolve longstanding issues. It is THIS generation that does not understand why we have not resolved these matters.}}

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 {{comment|As mentioned before, these issues have been addressed - the efforts of ethnic separatists to re-raise this issues again is the problem, and the source of the emotional distress regarding Hawaii.  What is needed is a more thorough education in schools regarding Hawaiian history, from grade school through university - one that does not stop reading history books on December 18, 1893.  This generation does not understand these matters because they have been poorly educated on the historical record, and have been fooled into believing that native Hawaiians are inherently victims.
-Our first delegate to Congress upon becoming a territory of the United States was Robert Wilcox, hero of the native Hawaiian people, and someone who participated in the 1895 rebellion against the Republic of Hawaii.  Upon annexation, he was a shining example of democracy in action, and of resolution to face the future.  Our second delegate to Congress was Prince Kuhio.  They faced the emotional issues by participating as equals in the democratic process, and to turn the clock back and undo their embrace of equal rights is a desecration of history.}}
+It may be a surprise to many to realize that although Akaka is our first native Hawaiian senator, he is not nearly the first native Hawaiian to represent Hawaii in the Congress.  Our first delegate to Congress upon becoming a territory of the United States was Robert Wilcox, hero of the native Hawaiian people, and someone who participated in the 1895 rebellion against the Republic of Hawaii.  Upon annexation, he was a shining example of democracy in action, and of resolution to face the future.  Our second delegate to Congress was Prince Kuhio.  They both faced the emotional issues surrounding the Hawaiian Revolution by participating as equals in the democratic process, and to turn the clock back and undo their embrace of equal rights is a desecration of history.}}
 Mr. President, there are those who have tried to say that my bill will divide the people of Hawaii. As I have just explained, my bill goes a long way to unite the people of Hawaii by providing a structured process to deal with issues that have plagued us since 1893. The misguided efforts of my colleagues who seek to delay the Senate’s consideration of this bill, however, may have a divisive effect on my state.

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 It is this generation, however, that is growing impatient with the lack of progress in efforts to resolve longstanding issues. It is this generation that does not understand why we have not resolved these matters. It is for this generation that I have written this bill to ensure that we have a way to address these emotional issues.
-{{comment|As mentioned before, these issues have been addressed - the efforts of ethnic separatists to re-raise this issues again is the problem, and the source of the emotional distress regarding Hawaii.}}
+{{comment|As mentioned before, these issues have been addressed - the efforts of ethnic separatists to re-raise this issues again is the problem, and the source of the emotional distress regarding Hawaii.  What is needed is a more thorough education in schools regarding Hawaiian history, from grade school through university - one that does not stop reading history books on December 18, 1893.  This generation does not understand these matters because they have been poorly educated on the historical record, and have been fooled into believing that native Hawaiians are inherently victims.
 Mr. President, there are those who have tried to say that my bill will divide the people of Hawaii. As I have just explained, my bill goes a long way to unite the people of Hawaii by providing a structured process to deal with issues that have plagued us since 1893. The misguided efforts of my colleagues who seek to delay the Senate’s consideration of this bill, however, may have a divisive effect on my state.