Colleen Hanabusa

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the motion to instruct conferees to agree to the language in section 1249 of the Senate bill, which requires a plan for promoting the security of Afghan women and girls during the transition process. I have been a supporter of an accelerated withdrawal of our forces from Afghanistan, but believe we must do so responsibly. Part of this responsibility lies in protecting the gains that have been made by Afghan women and ensuring that they have a role in creating the future of their country. Since 2001, women in Afghanistan have made tremendous progress in being able to educate themselves and diversify the way they can provide for their families. They receive better health care and can move freely about within their communities. This progress, which has come at great cost to the men and women of our armed services, must be preserved and furthered. To lose these gains would be to minimize the great sacrifices that our men and women in uniform have made. It is undisputed that the burden of war and keeping a family together after a loss of life falls on the mothers and women of the household. It is also undisputed that war leaves many scarred physically and emotionally. Yet it is so rare that we can say out of these difficult situations that there can be a glimmer of hope for the future. One example of hope for the future is for these women and girls to know that they will be secure in their pursuits and in the progress that has been made. We must also believe that by doing so, the foundations we have helped build will continue, and these women and girls will have a future in their Afghan nation.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, much of Hawaii was waiting this past Saturday for word of whether one of our own, Manti Te'o, would win the Heisman trophy. It would have been a first for Hawaii. Manti shares Punahou, the same high school alma mater as President Obama, and his story is compelling. Manti is someone who has trained so hard with his parents solidly by his side to play football well. You should hear the stories by his father. He plays the game for the sense of camaraderie and the building of friendships. He is not only gifted, but a very humble young man. But many may not know that he may not have played his senior year because he lost his girlfriend and grandmother within 4 days of each other. He did play because he promised his girlfriend that he would. Manti, you have made many of us all proud, especially those of us from Hawaii. And to you and your teammates from Hawaii, Robby Toma and Kona Schwenke, we say, go fighting Irish! Mahalo and aloha.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, what will it take to address the people's concerns? The people are concerned about the fiscal cliff. We have to begin to put the people first and set partisan politics aside. What does this mean? People will pay. The Tax Policy Center estimates that, if we do nothing, the average American will see his tax bill rise by $3,446 in 2013. Unemployment will increase from 7.9 percent to 9.1 in 2013. We will also begin to lose the 30 months of steady private sector job growth. Sequestration will mean FEMA will lose $878 million. Tell that to the people who are suffering from Hurricane Sandy. $23 billion will be lost in rental assistance to the poor, and the nutritional programs will lose $543 million. Mr. Speaker, is this our message to the people of this great Nation? I hope not. It shouldn't be. Let's begin to work together. We have got to address the people's concerns.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, the election is over for this cycle, and it is time to do the people's work. The President is reelected, and he is our President for the next 4 years. Our constituents are tired and upset with our dysfunction. They can't begin to comprehend how we've allowed the fiscal cliff to happen. Many of them don't even understand what the fiscal cliff is about. All they know is that things like unemployment can rise to 9.1 percent unless we act. It is time to put the elections behind us and work together. Mr. Speaker, we must focus on the people, especially the constituents of our colleagues who are suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. We have got to work together and do the people's work. Isn't that what we've been sent here to do? Mr. Speaker, let's get the people's work done.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lynne Yoshiko Nakasone of Honolulu, Hawaii. The National Endowment for the Arts has named Sensei Nakasone a 2012 National Heritage Fellow for her contributions to the folk and traditional arts. This prestigious lifetime achievement award honors Sensei Nakasone's lifetime commitment to Okinawan classical dance-- which is also referred to as Ryukyu dance--and embodies her accomplishments by identifying her as one of our country's living treasures. It was at the young age of 6 that Sensei Nakasone began to master this technique of dance. Sensei Nakasone is originally from Naha, Okinawa, but has resided in Hawaii since her marriage to her loving husband, Clarence, in 1955. In 1956, Sensei Nakasone founded the Hoge Ryu Hana Nizi no Kai Nakasone Dance Academy in Honolulu, and for over five decades has been teaching, performing, and choreographing creative dances. Her performing skills are legendary, but it is her aloha spirit that endures the test of time and her passion, knowledge, and kindness that have touched countless individuals over the years. There is no doubt in my mind that Sensei Nakasone is deserving of this award, for she has dedicated her life towards preserving the Okinawan culture while positively impacting others and contributing to the diversity and uniqueness of our culture in the United States of America.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lynne Yoshiko Nakasone of Honolulu, Hawaii. The National Endowment for the Arts has named Sensei Nakasone a 2012 National Heritage Fellow for her contributions to the folk and traditional arts. This prestigious lifetime achievement award honors Sensei Nakasone's lifetime commitment to Okinawan classical dance--which is also referred to as Ryukyu dance--and embodies her accomplishments by identifying her as one of our country's Living Treasures. Sensei Nakasone is originally from Naha, Okinawa but has resided in Hawai`i since her marriage to her loving husband, Clarence, in 1955. At age 6, Sensei Nakasone began to master the techniques of Ryukyuan dance--which dates back to the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom--under the mentorship of Ryosho Kin, a renowned figure in the Okinawan performing arts. In 1956, Sensei Nakasone founded the Hoge Ryu Hana Nizi no Kai Nakasone Dance Academy in Honolulu and for over five decades has been teaching, performing, and choreographing creative dances. Sensei Nakasone's performance skills are second to none but it is her Aloha Spirit that endures the test of time as her passion, knowledge, and kindness have touched countless individuals over the years. There is no doubt in my mind that Sensei Nakasone is deserving of this award for she has dedicated her life towards preserving Okinawan culture while positively impacting others and contributing to the diversity and uniqueness of culture in the United States of America. Sensei Nakasone has been recognized numerous times in the past, being awarded the Individual Artist Fellowship from the State of Hawai`i, a Legacy Award from the Hawai`i United Okinawa Association, a certificate of commendation from the government of Japan, and a Living Treasure Award by the Hawai`i Buddhist Association. With her award from the National Endowment of the Arts, Sensei Nakasone has deservingly been recognized at every level possible. Her tremendous contributions to the humanities and to us all cannot be underscored and it is truly an honor for us to be able to recognize Sensei Nakasone for sharing her gifts with the world. On behalf of the First Congressional District of Hawai`i--as well as the entire State of Hawai`i--I would like to extend my warmest aloha and congratulations to Lynne Yoshiko Nakasone, her husband Clarence, and her entire family for being named a 2012 National Heritage Fellow.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. We all probably remember where we were when we learned about 9/11. We all probably had someone who came to mind immediately when we watched the horrific attacks on this Nation. For me, I thought of my friend General Eikenberry, who was at the Pentagon, on the side that the plane crashed into. Though Hawaii is the State farthest away from the east coast, we were also touched. We knew of at least nine who had ties to our State who died on 9/11, and I want to honor them by reading their names: Georgine Corrigan, Richard Keane, Maile Hale, Ric Yee, Patti Colodner, David Laychak, Christine Snyder, Heather Ho. Heather is someone special to me. Her grandfather actually built the town that I grew up in. We must also honor the brave men and women in uniform who gave their lives to this country in the wars following 9/11. Madam Speaker, we must never forget, and this country must never forget.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, you have controlled the House for 19 months. The Republican majority has simply failed to lead. And more importantly, you are incapable of governing for the middle class--the middle class, the people who help build this great Nation. This week we had the opportunity to provide a tax cut for 100 percent of these Americans, those individuals earning less than $200,000 and less than $250,000 for a family. But once again, the Republican majority wanted it their way. And what was your way? You wanted to pass tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, your friends. And what does that do? It adds $1 trillion to our deficit and debt over the next 10 years. How many times has the majority said time and time again about the deficit and debt. And what do you do? You pass the tax cuts that are going to add $1 trillion. Mr. Speaker, it's about time that we step back and we realize that we are here to serve and the fact that we must take care of the majority, the wonderful middle class.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, both sides agree on one thing: that we must reduce taxes on the group of Americans that fuels our economy. We disagree as to who this group is. Republicans believe that it is the wealthy 2 percent. Democrats believe that it is the 98 percent--the middle class--that fuels our economy. The bottom line is: Do you believe that the economy is going to be revived top down? But really, it isn't. Rather, it's going to be a strong and secure middle class. Today, the White House released some figures. For Hawaii, my State, 500,000 families qualify as middle class. Do you know what it means? If we extend the middle class tax credits and tax breaks, it will mean $1,600 more per family per year. More importantly, what does it mean for the super wealthy? If we let those tax breaks expire, like they should, we will be able to reduce the deficit by about $1.16 trillion in 10 years. This is a no-brainer. Extend the middle class tax credits for those who really fuel our economy, and expire the Bush tax cuts.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Madam Speaker, when the Supreme Court decided Citizens United, it opened the floodgates to special interests. This country is faced, for the first time, with a small number influencing our elections, something that we've never experienced before. Let us all remember that it is our elections and our right to vote which makes us the great nation that we are. It is what people have gone to war for and died for. But now we're seeing the buying of America. We have been told that about 600 super PACs have raised over $240 million, and they've already spent over $113 million on our elections. We do know that the Republican donors are famous brothers, and they, with their friends, have spent about $400 million in the upcoming election. And we also know that there's a Republican donor casino owner who has already spent $71 million to affect our elections. We can't prohibit the spending, but we can require transparency so that the public knows who is spending this money. This is the DISCLOSE Act. But, Madam Speaker, Republicans have stopped the vote on the DISCLOSE Act. The Democrats have signed the discharge petition to bring it up to vote. We must bring it up to vote, Madam Speaker. We must show the people that America is not for sale.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Madam Speaker, on June 28 the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was constitutional. It is now the law of the land, thanks in most part to Republican-appointed Chief Justice Roberts. Tomorrow, this House is expected to vote on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Vote again--remember H.R. 2 on January 19 and now H.R. 6079. It is, unfortunately, expected that, due to the Republican vote, that it will be repealed again. How sad, Madam Speaker. How can you face the seniors, the students, the women and children and small businesses with this level of uncertainty by trying to repeal it again? They are the primary beneficiaries. Can you explain why? Can you especially explain how this is going to add to the deficit? The CBO says so. $100 billion in 10 years, and $1 trillion in 20 years. Madam Speaker, let's not play politics with one of the most important pieces of legislation that we have passed.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I stood here 2 days ago addressing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and reviewing its benefits. I stand here today after the landmark Supreme Court decision to make people aware of the Republicans' efforts to repeal this historic piece of legislation. The stakeholders must remember: seniors, the benefits with the prescription drugs already benefiting with $3.7 billion in savings; young adults who stay on their parents' plan until the age of 26, 6.6 million of you; small businesses who will experience tax credits of up to 50 percent by the year 2014; and women, women who suffered discrimination in premiums and on preexisting conditions like pregnancy. Imagine being defined a preexisting condition. 2014 they will stop. These are just highlights, and this is why we need to, again, focus behind the Affordable Care Act and remember, it's the largest part of our GDP that keeps growing; and we need to have it under control in order to have our great economy.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Madam Speaker, tomorrow the United States Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. Let us all step back and recognize those portions that people like. These are the highlights: For seniors, it closes the infamous doughnut hole for prescription drugs. This means, to date, about 5.3 million seniors have experienced savings of $3.7 billion. That doughnut hole will close completely by the year 2020. For women, we no longer are going to suffer the discrimination against us. Ninety percent of the plans today charge more for women than they do for men for the same process. In 2014, this stops. Women can no longer be discriminated against for what they call preexisting conditions. Do you know what these preexisting conditions are? Breast cancer, C-section and childbirth, pregnancy, victims of domestic abuse. And there will be a ban on maximum coverage in your lifetime for medical care. You will no longer need to have a referral to go see an OB/GYN. Children will also benefit. Madam Speaker, let's all recognize the value of the Affordable Care Act.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. HANABUSA. My amendment inserts the amount of $13 million for the Native Hawaiian housing block grant. This is in line with the President's budget. The President provided for the same amount and states that the Native Hawaiian block grant that is authorized under title VIII of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996, easier called NAHASDA. The block grant authorizes an annual grant to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for housing and housing-related assistance. Madam Chair, let us understand the significance of this block grant to this Congress and the Nation. In 1921, the Congress passed into law the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Congress recognized that it was necessary to return Native Hawaiians to their land to support self- sufficiency, and the preservation of their values, traditions, and culture. Madam Chair, in 1893, when the queen was overthrown, Hawaii was a vibrant, modern nation. And what happened after the overthrow resulted in the need--and Congress saw the need--to look at the return of Native Hawaiians to their lands. In essence, a trust relationship was created by the creation of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act made very clear that only Hawaiians of 50 percent blood quantum qualify, that the lands could only be leased, not owned, and it also restricted the ability to mortgage and have occupancy restrictions as well. This block grant assists in fulfilling the special trust relationship which was created and acknowledged in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. It assures the return to the land of Native Hawaiians, which was the concern of Congress. If this provision is authorized and people vote for it, what it will do is it will permit the existing and ongoing projects, along with those planned, to be competed with the ultimate goal of putting Native Hawaiians on the land, which was the purpose of the trust relationship that we created in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. Point of Order

Ms. HANABUSA. Madam Chair, I understand the point of order that has been raised. But let me, with all due respect, say that when we look at the language of any rule--the language that is, I guess, suspect here is not previously authorized by law--in fact, as stated by the President, as well as in my amendment, this provision has been authorized by law, and it is found in NAHASDA, title VIII. When we look at the wording ``not previously authorized,'' the technical argument may be that it was authorized at some point in time and then expired in 2005. However, that is not what the rule says. The rule says: not previously authorized. And this has been previously authorized. In the recent United States Supreme Court case of Lamie v. U.S. Trustee, it's very clear. And we can borrow from the Supreme Court when it gives its opinion as to what it means. The plain language is what controls in any interpretation of any statute or any rule. It is clearly plain language that what is being referred to here is the fact that it was not previously authorized. And it has been previously authorized. In addition to that, I would also like to say that there is an exception to this rule that says that you can continue appropriations for public works and objects that are already in progress. And to that, Madam Chair, I point out that, as we have said, this money is used for the return of the Native Hawaiians to the lands, and it includes, of course, construction and public works. They are projects ongoing that need this money in Kakaina, Waimanalo; Piilani Mai ke kai, phase II in Anahola on the island of Kauai; Laiopua on the Big Island on the Kona side; Lalamilo, Waimea; Kanehili, Kapolei; and East Kapolei, II, also in Kapolei, Kapolei being on the island of Oahu. So on this point of order, Madam Speaker, I believe that it has been misinterpreted. The words are ``not previously authorized.'' And in addition to that, this specific provision has been authorized. In addition to that, the exception is for public works projects in progress. And the public works projects are the ones that I have listed, which as we know, is the object of the grant of the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Chairman, this amendment adds to title III, the Quadrennial Strategic Federal Onshore Energy Production Strategy, by providing another subsection, G, which basically mirrors the language found in the prior section, which addresses the Indian tribal lands. This particular amendment includes in that the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act lands. As you are probably well aware, Hawaii is in a unique situation in that, in 1920, this Congress created the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act; and there is a special body of land, 203,000 acres approximately, which is under the control of Congress. Congress approves whether or not things can be amended in the act. Even upon statehood, that right was retained. As such, this amendment seeks to have all of the alternative and renewable energy sources, including geothermal, solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources and lands, defined as ``available lands'' under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act in the strategic review. We believe this is not expanding this. It has no implications other than the fact that there is a body of land which somehow has been forgotten and that falls under Federal jurisdiction. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Chair, first I would like to begin by saying that we've had my amendment before the committee and the representations that were made with it were that it did not cover Hawaii. I'm here to basically reaffirm that on the floor of the House. This all started because when I was home, I was the speaker at the 50th anniversary of the USS Arizona Memorial. As I sat there, I began to understand that, in fact, the National Park Service has jurisdiction over the Arizona and all of its facilities in Pearl Harbor. So it caused me to go back and check exactly how many lands are under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife, which would fall within this law. There are 357,772 acres in the National Park Service and 298,980 acres under the Fish and Wildlife Service. As you all know, with 100 miles from any border, it would cover the whole State of Hawaii. But, Mr. Chair, I believe with the representation from the gentleman from Utah, I would be willing to withdraw my amendment if I'm again assured that this is not intended to cover Hawaii.

Ms. HANABUSA. I yield to the gentleman from Utah.

Ms. HANABUSA. With that, Mr. Chair, I respectfully ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Madam Speaker, President Obama laid out in his State of the Union address a blueprint for an America to last. To do this, he said, we need to rebuild the American economy by reviving manufacturing, new and innovative energy sources, educating and creating a strong, more skilled workforce. And, more importantly, renewing our American values. I want to talk about the new and innovative energy sources. Remember when the ARRA was passed, President Obama spoke about building the green economy, jobs in the energy field that look to the future. Hawaii shows that this can work. Our recent unemployment rate shows that it does work. Our UI rate is 6.3 percent, though we would like to see it lower. Note that our initial claims are down 16 percent. Total claims are down 10 percent from last year. And the area where we're seeing job creation is in the solar energy market. We have an 18 percent increase in the permits in the first 5 months of this year. Our Department of Labor projects 2,900 jobs by the end of this year-- green jobs, 25 percent over the past 2 years. President Obama has got it right. Let's look to the green economy.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Madam Speaker, I'm here to ask that the Republican budget respect our seniors. We've got to ask ourselves why are we giving those who make over a million dollars about $394,000 on average in tax cuts and those making between $20,000 and $30,000 get $129. Why? And why is it that there is about $3 trillion in breaks that we're giving to Big Business, Big Oil, gas, and the super rich? Why are we doing that? Then there is an effort in the Republican budget to change Medicare to the voucher program. This is why AARP says, ``Republicans are shifting the cost to our seniors and ending the Medicare guarantee, that guarantee that many of them rely upon.'' And our Congressional Budget Office agrees with this. The attacks on the Affordable Care Act by the Republicans also are going to set us back. That act closes the doughnut hole for seniors' prescription drugs. It also allows them to have preventive health care, and we're taking that away, too. Madam Speaker, let's just respect our seniors, and not do what we're doing.

Ms. HANABUSA

Ms. HANABUSA. Madam Speaker, we have begun the debate on the NDAA, and we all know that this is the legislation that's going to set forth our policy when it comes to the military for this upcoming fiscal year. You've heard some of my colleagues and how they feel about portions of the NDAA. All points well taken, but I ask that we look at it from a different perspective. Let us look at the NDAA in light of what the President said in November of 2011. When he addressed APEC, he said, The 21st century is for the Pacific; and we are pivoting to the Asia Pacific. And what does that mean? He went on to say, How the 21st century does and how it's defined--whether it's one in conflict or one in controversy--is going to be determined by the Asia Pacific region. So what is it that we need in the Asia Pacific region? We need our allies and trade partners to feel safe and confident. And guess what. They look to our military for that. That is also something that the NDAA critically addresses. How the military is in the 21st century and our peace in the Pacific will be determined by them.