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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 225 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 225

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 28, 2009

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
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.
                                 <all>
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