NATIVE AMERICAN AND SMALL BUSINESS LEADER U.S. CONGRESSMAN TOM COLE TO VISIT HAWAII

News Release from www.Lingle2012.com

HONOLULU - Former Governor Linda Lingle, candidate for Hawaii's open U.S. Senate seat, will host U.S. Congressman Tom Cole, a small business leader and the only Native American in the U.S. House of Representatives, at a special luncheon at the Ala Moana Hotel on Wednesday, May 23 from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

"Congressman Cole has been a strong, clear voice for indigenous people in Washington, D.C. since he began serving the people of Oklahoma 10 years ago. As a Congressman and member of the Chickasaw Nation, Congressman Cole has made providing indigenous people, including native Hawaiians, the means for self-determination, self-governance and self-reliance a legislative priority," said Gov. Linda Lingle.

"Congressman Cole and I share interests beyond federal recognition of native Hawaiians, including the Congressman's commitment to encouraging private sector economic growth. As a former business owner, Congressman Cole knows firsthand the integral role that our small businesses play in the speed and strength of our economic recovery," Gov. Lingle added.

Oklahoma's Fourth District voters first elected Tom Cole to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002. Since that time Congressman Cole has earned a national reputation as a thoughtful and effective leader. As a former business owner and representative for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Congressman Cole has been a tireless advocate for small businesses. Additionally, as the only Native American (an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation) in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Cole has aggressively worked for federal support of Native American self-governance and economic development, including co-sponsoring House legislation to create a native Hawaiian government.

Congressman Cole is a member of the Committee on Appropriations, where he is the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, and serves on the Subcommittee on Defense and Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies. He also serves on the Committee on the Budget.

For more information or to secure a ticket to the luncheon, please contact Kari Hofer at Kari@Lingle2012.com, (808) 298-8057.

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