Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 11, 1 November 2003 — Lingle, Bush discuss recognition bill [ARTICLE]

Lingle, Bush discuss recognition bill

During President Bush's recent stopover in Hawai'i, Gov. Linda Lingle spoke with him about pending federal recognition legislation for Native Hawaiians. Many believe that the president's support is key to the passage of the measure, whieh has been stalled in the Senate by opposition from some Republican members. Lingle told the press that the issue was not near the top of the president's agenda, as he wrestles with such issues as Iraq and the economy. "But I did raise it to him," she said, "and now it may heeome something that he takes a closer look at." In other news of the bill, Presidential candidate Howard Dean, a frontrunner among the Democratic hopefuls, has declared his firm support for federal recognition for Native Hawaiians. In a letter to Hawai'i Rep. Neil Abercrombie dated Oct. 8, the former Vermont governor vowed that he would "work actively for passage of the Akaka B ill" and, if elected president, would direct the Justice Deptartment to "vigorously defend the legislation, as well as existing Hawaiian programs," in the courts. "I wholeheartedly support the Akaka bill (H.R. 665 and S. 344)," Dean wrote. "Native Hawaiians, through their cultural values and traditions, should determine their own way of life and the proper use of their land and resources." ■