Senate committee hearing on Akaka bill set for Aug. 6
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has announced a hearing to consider the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 (S.1011), sponsored by Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii).
The hearing is scheduled to take place at noon Aug. 6 in Room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, immediately following a standard committee business meeting that begins at 2:15 p.m. The committee is chaired by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota).
“With the 50th anniversary of statehood less than a month away, we are reminded of our sacred trust relationship with the indigenous people of Hawaii that today remains unfulfilled,” Akaka said. “Both Congress and the people of Hawaii have recognized our responsibility to help Native Hawaiians perpetuate their culture and traditions. Thursday’s hearing will be an important next step forward towards providing Native Hawaiians parity with the other indigenous people of the United States.”
More information about the hearing will be posted on the committee's Web site: http://indian.senate.gov/.