Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 541, recognizing and honoring the restoration and renovation of the Bishop Museum's historic Hawaiian Hall, the Nation's premier showcase for Hawaiian culture and history, on the occasion of the Museum's 120th anniversary.

Founded more than a century ago, in the memory of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop by her husband, Charles Reed Bishop, Bishop Museum has contributed to the world's understanding of the natural and cultural history of the Pacific and Hawai`i. It has collected and preserved nearly 25 million scientific animal and plant specimens and 2.4 million cultural objects that together help tell the full story of Hawai`i and the Pacific.

I attended the celebration of the Bishop Museum's 120th anniversary in Honolulu during our August district work period. The magnificent historic Hawaiian Hall has been beautifully restored and now serves as a more fitting setting for the irreplaceable and precious cultural and historical artifacts it showcases. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bishop Museum's Hawaiian Hall has traditionally housed Hawaii's most sacred and beloved artifacts. With its volcanic stone exterior and extensive use of native koa wood, Hawaiian Hall is considered a masterwork of late Victorian museum design.

With this important renovation, hundreds of thousand visitors and local residents will enter the world of Hawai`i. They will hear the oral tradition of oli and mo `olelo. They will experience Hawai`i's deep connection between its natural and cultural worlds. Bishop Museum has served as an essential repository and education institution for over a century.

I urge my colleagues to join me voting for H. Res. 451 and encourage you to visit the restored Hawaiian Hall when you next visit Hawaii.

Madam Speaker, August, 2009 marks the 120th anniversary of Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, the State of Hawai`i's Natural and Cultural History Museum. Founded more than a century ago, in the memory Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop by her husband, Charles Reed Bishop, Bishop Museum has contributed to the world's understanding of the natural and cultural history of the Pacific and Hawai`i. It has collected and preserved nearly 25 million scientific animal and plant specimens and 2.4 million cultural objects that together help tell the full story of Hawai`i and the Pacific.

Bishop Museum recently completed a major restoration of one of its original buildings, Hawaiian Hall. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bishop Museum's Hawaiian Hall has traditionally housed Hawai`i's most sacred and beloved artifacts. With its volcanic stone exterior and extensive use of native koa wood, Hawaiian Hall is considered a masterwork of late Victorian museum design.

With this important renovation, hundreds of thousand visitors and local residents will enter the world of Hawai`i. They will hear the oral tradition of oli and mo `olelo. They will experience Hawai`i's deep connection between its natural and cultural worlds. Bishop Museum has served as an essential repository and education institution for over a century.

In honor of this important anniversary and the major restoration of Hawaiian Hall, Congressman Abercrombie and I introduced H. Res. 541, which we are hoping will pass the House in the near future. I urge my colleagues to join me in commending the important efforts of the Museum and in celebrating the 120th anniversary of its founding with the restoration and reopening of its Hawaiian Hall. Mahalo!

Mr. Speaker, we've been grappling with how to provide all of our citizens with access to affordable, quality health care since President Truman's time. With health care costs being 18 percent of our GDP and growing and 47 million uninsured, we need to take action now. My Education and Labor Committee spent 22\1/2\ hours in a 24-hour period debating H.R. 3200, a historic bill.

In 1974, the State of Hawaii enacted historic legislation of its own called the Prepaid Health Care Act. This law requires employers to provide health care coverage to full-time employees. After 35 years, the Prepaid Health Care Act remains the only employer mandate law of its kind in our country.

An economist at the University of Hawaii estimates that per capita, health expenditures in Hawaii have been about 7 percent lower than the national average. The economist believes that Hawaii's wider health insurance coverage and support for preventive health care led to this outcome.

Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act has been the major driver in the health and well-being of our residents.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in wishing Mr. Clay a happy birthday.

I rise in strong support of H. Res. 593, recognizing the 50th anniversary of Hawaii's admission as the 50th State of the Union on August 21, 1959.

As my colleagues have mentioned, Hawaii brings a lot to this Nation. Our strategic location in the Pacific, our example of tolerance with our multicultural population and mix of cultures, our special relationship with and understanding of the Asia-Pacific region, and the physical beauty and ecological diversity of our islands are just a few of the assets we bring to this Nation.

I have very personal memories about the day Hawaii became a State. I was in elementary school at Koko Head Elementary in Honolulu and was given the honor of pinning the 50th star on our school flag at a special school assembly before sending the flag up the flagpole.

All Hawaii celebrated that day. To many, statehood represented recognition of a State whose multiethnic, multicultural base was different from that of any other State, but whose sons and daughters were just as American as the people of the other 49 States.

1959 was also the year I became a naturalized U.S. citizen, and apparently was also the year that my colleague, Neil Abercrombie, came to Hawaii. And things haven't been the same there since. Hawaii is a great State, and it has given me opportunities that I never would have had had my mother not brought me to this wonderful, beautiful State.

But we must always remember that the 50th State is also the native land of Hawaii's indigenous population, the Native Hawaiians. I am hopeful that this year we will be able to move forward to a reconciliation with the Native Hawaiian people, who lost their country and queen, by passing the Native Hawaii Government Reorganization Act. This act will provide the Native Hawaiians with the same rights of self-determination enjoyed by American Indians and Alaskan Natives.

Hawaii's population is made up of persons of Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Irish, German, Portuguese, Puerto Rican, Filipino, French, Scottish, Korean, Samoan, Dutch, Tongan, Vietnamese, and African descent and more, plus combinations of these various ethnicities. It is not unusual, for example, for someone to identify themselves as Hawaiian, German, Chinese and Filipino. Although we have not eliminated prejudice, the people of Hawaii have learned to live together and to enjoy the richness that the mix of cultures has brought to our home.

Today we also celebrate the achievements of people from Hawaii whose notable efforts have paved the way for other Americans, such as Olympic champion and cultural ambassador Duke Kahanamoku, astronaut Ellison Onizuka, as mentioned previously Congresswoman Patsy Mink and President Barack Obama, to name a few.

I urge my colleagues to vote for H. Res. 593.

Rather than emulate the laissez faire strategy of the previous administration, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act less than a month after taking office. Now, just 5 months after its passage, some on the other side of the aisle are proclaiming it a failure.

In January 2009, before passage of the Recovery Act, the economy lost 741,000 jobs, foreclosures were at record highs, and the economic growth rate had hit negative 6.3 percent. Some $10 trillion in wealth had been lost in the stock market.

The Recovery Act provided our States with vital funds, allowing thousands of teachers, law enforcement officials, and firefighters to stay on the job, to educate our children, and to protect our public. To call this a failure is putting rhetoric over people.

More than $20 billion has been made available to fund over 6,000 shovel-ready transportation construction projects, over 2,500 of which are already under way.

The Recovery Act is not a cure-all to our economy's problems, but it has and will continue to make a difference for the better.

Mr. Speaker, today I hosted a panel discussion on the results of a historic poll on women immigrants to America. Today, women comprise half or more of the immigrants entering this country. Women are the new face of migration in America.

Among the findings of this historic poll, many women immigrants acknowledge speaking little or no English, while confronting anti- immigrant discrimination, lack of health care, and low-paying employment, well below the status of the professional work most did in their home countries.

Thirty-eight percent of the women came to join family members; 22 percent to make a better life for their children. Their top two biggest challenges were helping their children achieve success and being able to hold their families together.

The poll data paralleled my mother's own experience in bringing me and my brothers to the United States from Japan in the mid-1950s: her desire to build better futures for us; her early, low-paying, no- benefits jobs; her determination to keep the family together as head of household.

The importance of family to women immigrants is something we can all relate to and support as we discuss and debate immigration reform.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2997, the FY2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which makes important investments in agricultural research; conservation, rural development, and nutrition programs; as well as a number of other programs that support agriculture and rural communities in our nation.

I am very grateful to the Committee, and especially to Chair Rosa DeLauro, for support of many of my high-priority requests and for recognizing the special challenges faced by Hawaii farmers.

Yesterday as we were getting ready to begin debate, I was surprised to learn that another member had filed an amendment to eliminate funding for one of my Hawaii requests included in the final bill. The amendment would have eliminated a $153,000 earmark, titled Agricultural Diversification in Hawaii, to assist Hawaii farmers succeed in growing and marketing new crops to replace sugarcane and pineapple. It was a bit disappointing because the amendment was drafted by a member from Texas, a state that enjoys far more substantial federal support for its farmers in the form of direct payments and other agricultural services than Hawaii.

Ultimately, the member from Texas decided not to offer his amendment. If he had, I would have offered the following defense for this important program.

Hawaii is the most geographically isolated state.

Hawaii imports 85 percent of the food consumed by residents and visitors and is estimated to have a 4-7 day food supply in the event of a shipping disruption of any kind.

Our major agricultural industries of sugar and pineapple production have declined precipitously in the last 15 years. Of our last two sugar companies, one announced it was going out of business last year. Our longstanding leaders in pineapple production have moved their fruit production operations out of the state. As a result, Hawaii has been making a difficult transition from plantation to diversified agriculture.

Increased food production for local and export markets is a key component to addressing food security in Hawaii.

Most of the research done in mainland university and research institutions does not have much relevance in Hawaii. We grow different crops and have a year-round growing season, which means year-round pest and disease issues.

There are no large national agricultural organizations to lobby for the interests of papaya, pineapple, banana, or coffee farmers. Rice and cotton growers in Texas can find support from growers in other states who will make sure that their needs are understood and met.

The Hawaii Agricultural Diversification program has evolved over time from identifying alternative crops to replace sugarcane and pineapple, to assessments on aquaculture crops, to the current emphasis on tropical fruits.

The overall tropical fruit industry in Hawaii comprises nearly 1300 farmers who produce crops for tropical fruit markets with an annual farm gate value of more than $30 million.

Included in this agricultural industry are banana, guava, papaya, avocados, and wide range of tropical specialty fruits such as rambutan, lychee, and longan.

While the total acreage and the total number of farms increased in 2007, these growers are small farmers, averaging less than 5 acres per farm in production. These farmers have limited resources and do not have the means to conduct the R & D to support their industry. This funding provides means for stakeholder-driven research and development in support of the industry.

The main problems faced by Hawaii tropical fruit growers include pest management strategies, phytosanitary export protocols, and refined market information to guide production.

For example, two major Hawaii Tropical Specialty Fruits, rambutan and longan, are grown for export to the U.S. mainland but face stiff competition with foreign countries, such as from Thailand, where labor and other input costs are much lower. Research funds have been devoted to finding best management practices for post-harvest handling of rambutan and longan to identify the fungal diseases that damage fruit and accelerate spoilage during shipment. Research, done collaboratively with USDA Agricultural Research Service, has identified methods to extend rambutan and longan shelf-life and to maintain higher quality fruit during shipment, giving Hawaii growers a competitive advantage over cheap foreign competition.

Hawaii has an image of being a paradise. Hawaii is beautiful, but at the same time we are also very vulnerable to any downturn in the U.S. or international economies. Our biggest industry, tourism, has been hit hard by the recession. Our geographic isolation means that everything is more expensive, including inputs for agriculture.

My district, which includes all of Hawaii (7 inhabited islands) except for the city of Honolulu, is largely rural and most of our residents would like it to stay that way. We have a long agricultural tradition and history and are struggling to adjust to changing markets without the safety net that most states that grow program crops (like cotton, rice, and corn) enjoy. Despite the fact that Hawaii farmers are not able to take advantage of many of the programs that benefit mainland farmers, I have consistently supported farmers throughout the country and simply ask that my fellow members also support Hawaii's hard-working farmers.

Mr. Speaker, over 45 million people in America have no health insurance, and over 8 million of them are children. Millions more don't have enough health insurance; that is dramatic, but abstract.

Let me make it more real and tell you about two of these people I met in Hawaii last week. One woman told me that she is self-employed and pays all of her taxes. She works hard, but for her entire life she has taken care of herself because she can't afford health care. For years she self-treated a busted knee. It finally got to the point she had to see a doctor, but she couldn't afford it. She did something nobody should ever have to do: she used a friend's insurance card to get the care she needed.

Another man bravely told me he was homeless. He doesn't fit the stereotype. He has a college degree and works two jobs. One of his job provides him with health insurance, but he cannot afford the 20 percent copay. He needs that money to buy food for his wife and children, and to buy gasoline to drive his car to work. So he goes without regular doctor visits and hopes for the best.

These people aren't asking for a handout. They are asking for a little bit of help. It is time we provided it.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 512, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, today I would like to recognize Neda Agha- Soltan, this brave young woman who was shot and killed while en route to join the thousands of Iranians in Tehran who were demonstrating against the Presidential election result.

Neda, whose name means ``the voice'' in Farsi, was but one of the many women in Iran demanding that their voices be heard and that their votes be counted and their human rights respected.

Like many other Americans and people from around the world, I have been deeply moved by the images of Iranian women who have had the courage to speak their minds in defiance of a regime that seeks to suppress them.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of Neda and in supporting all of the courageous women in Iran who are raising their voices and fighting for the fundamental freedoms and human rights that we so often take for granted.

Offered By: Ms. Hirono

Amendment No. 2: Page 1168, line 21, through page 1169,

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 399 on Motion to Reconsider, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Amendment No. 98 Offered by Mr. Hodes

Mr. Speaker, it is time to stop playing politics and solve the health care crisis. Americans deserve a choice in quality health care that is affordable.

Health care reform will make sure that we have the option to keep the health care insurance we have, if we like it, or to choose a quality public health care option.

Health care reform will stop the insurance companies from denying coverage to those with preexisting conditions. You will also no longer be denied care because of your age. Health care reform will make sure that you will have coverage that can never be denied or taken away. Our families need this peace of mind. We spend almost 50 percent more per person on health care than does the next most costly nation, but we are no healthier for it.

We cannot wait any longer to make health care reform a reality. Quality, affordable health care for all is long overdue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 614.

This legislation awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in honor of their dedicated service during World War II.

I am a cosponsor of the House version of this bill (H.R. 2014), which recognizes the first women in the history of our country to fly American military aircraft. The Women Airforce Service Pilots volunteered to fly over 60 million miles in every type of aircraft available to them, participating in all missions other than direct combat missions. They towed targets for air-to-air and ground-to-air gunnery practice, ferried planes, transported cargo and personnel, instructed, flew weather missions, and test flew repaired aircraft. They even flew aircraft that male pilots refused to fly.

In spite of their service, the Women Airforce Service Pilots were not given active duty military status and never received any kind of commissioning, rank, or military benefits. In November 1977, Congress narrowly approved legislation to give the WASP the veteran status that they had earned, but they were not invited to the bill signing and received their medals in the mail.

Today we recognize the 1,102 women who trained to serve as Women Airforce Service Pilots, 300 of whom are still living today, including three from my home State of Hawaii: Betty Joiner, Elaine Jones, and Mildred Marshall.

As a result of the heroism exemplified by the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the U.S. Armed Forces lifted the ban on women attending military flight training in the 1970s, and women now fly on every type of aircraft imaginable, from combat fighter aircraft to space shuttles. This legislation at long last commemorates their service to our country.

I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman for yielding time and for being an original cosponsor of my bill, along with my colleague Neil Abercrombie. I would also like to thank the previous speaker for his very kind and knowledgeable remarks, and you pronounced his name correctly, too, which is wonderful. Thank you.

H. Res. 479 recognizes the contributions of Jesse Kuhaulua, known professionally as Takamiyama Daigoro, a trailblazer in the sport of sumo wrestling. Maui born and a graduate of Baldwin High School in Wailuku, Jesse made his debut as an aspirant in Japan's national sport in the winter of 1964 in Osaka. At the time he knew little of the Japanese language and the subtleties of the sport itself. In this initial test, he wondered if his stay in Japan would be counted in weeks or months. Today Takamiyama Daigoro will retire from a 45-year long sumo career filled with historic milestones. This marks the day before his 65th birthday when senior members of the sport must retire. Takamiyama Daigoro was the first United States-born wrestler to enter the sport of sumo. In 1972 he became the first foreigner to win the Emperor's Cup, a top division championship in the sport. He was also the first foreign-born wrestler to climb to sumo's third-highest rank of sekiwake. Takamiyama also stands as the only foreigner to open his own heya, or stable, in order to train future generations in the sport after he stopped actively competing himself. Takamiyama opened the door for others from Hawaii to join him in this most ancient of sports. This group includes Saleva'a Atisano'e, also known as Konishiki, who became the first foreigner to reach the second-highest rank of ozeki; Chad Rowen, also known as Akebono, who became the first foreigner to hold the highest rank of sumo, that of yokozuna; and Fiamalu Penitani, also known as Musashimaru, who became the second foreigner to hold the title of yokozuna. Today foreigners from other countries, such as Mongolia, Russia and Georgia, have attained higher rankings and remarkable acclaim in this most ancient of Japanese sports.

I urge my colleagues to support this recognition of Jesse Kuhaulua, a true ambassador of the aloha spirit.

Mahalo nui loa.

I yield to the gentleman from American Samoa.

I would like to note in closing that a very famous singer, who sadly has passed away, named Israel Kamakawiwo'ole wrote a wonderful song about our Hawaiian sumo wrestlers, calling them gentle giants.