S RES 225

SRES 225 ATS

Recognizing and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union as the 50th State.

July 28, 2009

Mr. INOUYE (for himself and Mr. AKAKA) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

Recognizing and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union as the 50th State.

Whereas August 21, 2009, marks the 50th anniversary of Proclamation 3309, signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower, which admitted Hawaii into the Union in compliance with the Hawaii Admission Act (Public Law 86-3; 73 Stat. 4), enacted into law on March 18, 1959;

Whereas Hawaii is a place like no other, with people like no other, and bridges mainland United States to the Asia-Pacific region;

Whereas the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961;

Whereas Hawaii contributed to a more diverse Congress by electing--

(1) the first Native Hawaiian member of Congress, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole;

(2) the first Asian-American Senator, Hiram Fong;

(3) the first woman of color elected to Congress, Patsy T. Mink;

(4) the first Native Hawaiian to serve in the Senate, Daniel Kahikina Akaka; and

(5) the first Japanese American to serve in the Senate, Daniel Ken Inouye;

Whereas Hawaii is an example to the rest of the world of unity and positive race relations;

Whereas Pearl Harbor is a strategic United States military base in the Pacific and became a national historic site after the December 7, 1941, surprise aerial attack by Japan that thrust the United States into World War II;

Whereas Hawaii is home to 1/4 of the endangered species in the United States;

Whereas Hawaii has 8 national parks, which preserve volcanoes, complex ecosystems, a colony for victims of Hansen’s disease, and other sites of historical and cultural significance;

Whereas Kilauea ranks among the most active volcanoes on Earth;

Whereas President George W. Bush nominated the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Centre for consideration for the World Heritage List;

Whereas Hawaii has produced musical legends ranging from traditional favorites such as Alfred Apaka, Don Ho, and Genoa Keawe, to Hawaii renaissance performers such as Eddie Kamae, Raymond Kane, Gabby Pahinui, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, the Brothers Cazimero, and the Beamer Brothers, to contemporary stars such as Keali’i Reichel, Ledward Kaapana, Jake Shimabukuro, and Raiatea Helm;

Whereas Hawaii is culturally rich because the Hawaiian culture has been protected through Hawaiian language immersion schools, hula competitions such as the Merrie Monarch Festival, canoeing voyages undertaken by vessels such as the Hokule’a, and the continuing historic preservation of Hawaiian traditions;

Whereas the Hawaii Statehood Commission held a Joint Session of the Hawaii State Legislature in honor of statehood and will celebrate the milestone with a public discussion and the arrival of the USS Hawaii; and

Whereas for all of these reasons Hawaii is a truly unique State: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate recognizes and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union as the 50th State.