Hello CERA and STAAR Folks,
There are two ugly pieces of legislation moving rapidly through Congress that
could use our attention. I'm hoping that you might be willing to write a brief
note to your senators and congressmen, opposing the pillaging and plundering of
the great state of Hawaii.
Should this legislation pass, Barb Lindsay tells us, that you can look for
activists to "take back California" - and New Mexico...and on and on. This
dismantling of America through tribalism, MUST come to a screeching halt. The
"enrolled" population of a "Hawaii tribe" would nearly DOUBLE the population of
enrolled tribal members across the country...giving even more power to the
Indian industry, Indian gambling industry and god-knows-what's next.
I've copied a description of the Hawaiian tribal recognition Senate Bill and
House Bill, and included a brief synopsis of information that should help in
drafting quick letters of opposition to elected officials in Congress. If any of
you feel like sharing your letters, email them to me and I'll share them with
others.
Also, please feel free to forward this email to others that might raise a voice
of opposition.
I know Hawaiians thank you and we do too!
Sincerely,
Elaine Willman, Chair
CERA
S.344 Title: A bill expressing the policy of the United States regarding
the United States relationship with Native Hawaiians and to provide a process
for the recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing
entity, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced
2/11/2003) Cosponsors: 3 Related Bills: H.R.665 Latest Major Action: 5/14/2003
Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Indian Affairs.
Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute
favorably.
H.R.665. Title: To express the policy of the United States regarding the
United States relationship with Native Hawaiians and to provide a process for
the recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing entity,
and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] (introduced
2/11/2003) Cosponsors: 1 Related Bills: S.344 Latest Major Action: 2/27/2003
House committee subcommittee actions. Status: Executive Comment Requested from
Interior.
=========================================================
Save Hawaii from Separatism
View Current Signatures - Sign the Petition
To: U.S. Congress & President George W. Bush
Please say no to the Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill ("Akaka Bill")
With the nation facing unprecedented threats, as the 108th Congress begins its
work and President George W. Bush calls for unity and strength and to stimulate
the economy, the forces of Hawaiian separatism are expected to once again
introduce the Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill ("Akaka Bill").
This bill would divide, not unite, the people of Hawaii; weaken, not strengthen,
the nation's and Hawaii’s economy; and it would encourage those in Hawaii who
view themselves primarily as something other than Americans.
A RADICAL CHANGE IN EXISTING LAW. This bill would grant members of one group,
defined by ancestry, the right to organize a new government. It would thereby
give Native Hawaiians something no American Indian has: the right to create the
equivalent of a tribe where none now exists. Congress may recognize tribes which
have existed continuously from historic times to the present but it has no power
to create tribes out of thin air (U.S. v. Sandoval, 231 U.S. 28 (1913)). There
are no tribes in Hawaii. Since 1810, when Kamehameha the Great unified the
islands and established the Kingdom of Hawaii, there has never been a government
exclusively of, by or for Hawaiians. The “nation” the Akaka bill proposes to
“recognize” has never existed.
TAX-FREE BUSINESSES & CASINOS. The Akaka Bill would turn anyone with a drop of
Hawaiian blood into a new kind of American Indian. It would allow Hawaii to be
carved up into separate sovereign enclaves, like Indian reservations, that could
have businesses free of federal and state taxes competing unfairly with those
that pay them. While the bill says it does not authorize casinos, it does not
prohibit them either, and every state that has Indian reservations also now has
casinos that pay no taxes. Since there also is no limit on what the Indian
tribes can contribute to political campaigns, Hawaii certainly would soon have
casinos.
REJECTION OF ALOHA AND DEMOCRACY. This bill would violate both Aloha and the
American ideal of equality under the law. It would elevate one racial group to
the status of a hereditary elite to be supported by citizens who are not of the
favored race.
NO HISTORICAL JUSTIFICATION. Contrary to the claims of the bill supporters, the
U.S. took no lands from Hawaiians at the time of the 1893 revolution or the 1898
Annexation (or at any other time) and it did not deprive them of sovereignty.
Upon annexation, (unlike American Indians and Alaska natives) Hawaiians became
full citizens of the U.S. with more freedom, security, opportunity for
prosperity and sovereignty than they ever had under the Kingdom. As part of the
Annexation Act, the U.S. provided compensation by assuming the debts of about $4
million which had been incurred by the Kingdom. The lands ceded to the U.S. were
the former government and crown lands under the Kingdom held for the benefit of
all citizens without regard to race. In 1959 the U.S. transferred those public
lands to the new State of Hawaii subject to the same public trust. The State
still holds them in trust for all citizens of Hawaii. Hawaiians today are no
different, in any constitutionally significant way, from any other ethnic group
in Hawaii’s multi-ethnic, intermarried, integrated society. Like all the rest of
us, some do well, some don’t and most are somewhere in between.
KEEP HAWAII ONE STATE, INDIVISIBLE. Carving up Hawaii into separate sovereign
enclaves would hurt all of us, our children, homes, schools, pocketbooks and the
tax base of our state, city and county governments. A house divided against
itself cannot stand. The Constitution “looks to an indestructible union,
composed of indestructible States.” Texas v. White, 7 Wallace 700 (1869).
FURTHER INFORMATION. For further information about the Akaka bill see: http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/OpposeAkakaBill.html
or email spburgess@hawaii.rr.com.
THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII CHOSE STATEHOOD. Over 40 years ago, in keeping with the
principle that a government should be created only with the consent of the
governed, the citizens of Hawaii chose American statehood by an overwhelming
margin. (Over 94% voted Yes to Statehood in 1959.) The same choice would
doubtless be made today.
We thank our lucky stars to be living in Hawaii with the freedom, security,
equal opportunity and Aloha for all that comes with being citizens of the United
States.
We love Hawaii and respect all its people, including Hawaiians. We do not want
to be divided and we do not want to secede from the United States.
Please say no to the Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill ("Akaka Bill"). Mahalo and
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
View Current Signatures
The Save Hawaii from Separatism Petition to U.S. Congress & President George W.
Bush was created by Aloha for All, a multi-ethnic group, including Hawaiians,
who are residents, home owners and taxpayers of Hawaii and believe Aloha is for
everyone whatever his or her ancestry and written by H. William & Sandra Puanani
Burgess. This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public
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