Resolution Proclaiming Hawaii Obama's Birthplace Passes House Unanimously
UPDATE 8:07PM: Salon is reporting that the resolution passed the House unanimously.
Rep. Michele Bachmann had blocked a vote on the resolution due to the absence of a quorum but voted for the resolution in the end.
UPDATE:
Think Progress reports that Rep. Neil Abercrombie's resolution proclaiming Hawaii as President Obama's birthplace was blocked by Rep. Michele Bachmann this afternoon on the floor of the House:
Just as the presiding chair of the House, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), was about to declare the resolution passed by voice vote, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) stood and objected:
BACHMANN: Mr. Speaker? I object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and make a point of order that a quorum is not present. [...]REP. ELIJAH CUMMINGS (D-MD): Further procedings on this motion will be postponed.
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The House of Representatives is poised to consider legislation that will flush out any Obama "birther" conspiracy theorists in Congress.
Rep. Neil Abercrombie, (D-Hawaii), has introduced a resolution "Recognizing and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union as the 50th State." It's one of the typical non-controversial obligatory matters that so often show up on the congressional agenda.
Only in this case, the implications of the resolution are much further reaching. That's because, as part of the 456-word resolution, Abercrombie is including the following line: "Whereas the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, was born in Hawaii..."
In no short order, H.R. 593 has become what one Democratic operative described as the "counter-birther" bill.
The legislation was in the works well before the current wave of hysteria from unhinged Obama-haters who maintain that, despite abundant evidence to the contrary, the president was not actually born in the United States and is not an American citizen.
Abercrombie is hoping to have it passed by the House before August recess because the real date of Hawaii statehood -- August 21 -- occurs while Congress is on break.
As for including the line about Obama, Abercrombie spokesman Dave Helfert told the Huffington Post: "OK. So it happens to mention that the 44th President of the United States was born there on August 4, 1961. Should we ignore that.... I mean what are you going to do, not mention the fact that the 44th president was born in your state?"
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 President Dwight D. Eisenhower's signing of Proclamation 3309, which admitted Hawaii into the Union in compliance with the Hawaii Admission Act, enacted by the United States Congress on March 18, 1959;
Whereas Hawaii is `a place like no other, with a people like no other' and bridges the mainland United States to the Asia-Pacific region;
Whereas the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, was born in Hawaii;
Whereas Hawaii has contributed to the diversity of Congress in electing the first Native Hawaiian member of Congress, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana`ole, the first Asian-American member, Hiram Fong, the first woman of color, Patsy T. Mink, and the first Native Hawaiian to serve in the Senate, Daniel Kahikina Akaka;
Whereas Hawaii is an example to the rest of the world of unity and positive race relations;
Whereas Pearl Harbor is a strategic military base for the U.S. in the Pacific and also a historical site for the Nation, being the location of the December 7, 1941, surprise Japanese aerial attack that thrust the Nation 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 Hansen's disease colony, and other sites of historical and cultural significance;
Whereas Kilauea ranks among the most active volcanoes on Earth;
Whereas President Bush nominated the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Centre for consideration to 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, and continuing on to contemporary stars such as Keali`i Reichel, Ledward Kaapana, Jake Shimabukuro, and Raiatea Helm;
Whereas Hawaii is culturally rich, as the Hawaiian culture has been protected through Hawaiian language immersion schools, hula competitions such as the Merrie Monarch Festival, canoeing voyages undertaken by vessels like the Hokule`a, and the continuing historic preservation of Hawaiian traditions;
Whereas the Hawaii Statehood Commission has held a Joint Session of the Hawaii State Legislature in honor of statehood and will be celebrating this milestone with a public discussion and with 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 House of Representatives recognizes and celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the entry of Hawaii into the Union as the 50th State.
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First Posted: 8/27/09 Updated: 5/25/11