U.S. CONGRESSMAN TOM COLE SPEAKS TO COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS
News Release from www.Lingle2012.com May 23, 2012
HONOLULU - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) spoke to 200 community and business leaders in Honolulu today, as a special guest of Gov. Linda Lingle, candidate for Hawaii's open U.S. Senate seat. Congressman Cole, the only Native American in the U.S. House (enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation), has earned high praise for his support for and co-sponsorship of legislation for federal recognition of native Hawaiians.
"We've been able to have some success in the House, but our biggest roadblock is the U.S. Senate. I think the biggest thing we lack is a Republican in the U.S. Senate that can articulate this issue, and no one can play that role more effectively than Governor Linda Lingle."
Congressman Cole is also recognized nationally as a small business leader. As an ardent supporter of Gov. Lingle's candidacy for U.S. Senate, he stressed to attendees how her long record of bipartisanship would be an asset to ending the partisan gridlock in Washington, D.C.
Speaking of Governor Lingle's 30 years of public service, Congressman Cole stated, "You look at her and see the qualities of leadership and integrity, of putting the average person first. And, she exhibited those qualities when you put her in office, and she was exactly who you thought she would be. She will be a great United States Senator, she's a great public servant. Please send us your brightest, please send us your best, please send us Linda Lingle," added the Congressman.
Gov. Lingle said she was honored to have the support of Congressman Cole, and shared his belief in working across party aisles, something she has done with success throughout her entire publicly elected career in Hawaii. Unafraid to speak out against his own party if an issue cuts against the best interests of the people of Hawaii, she brought up how having bipartisan representation at the Senate level is ultimately in Hawaii's best interests.
"If I get the privilege to represent you in D.C., you have my personal commitment that I don't go there to work for Barack Obama or Mitt Romney. I go there to work for the people of Hawaii, because that is who is sending me there and that is who my commitment is to."
Congressman Cole has been in Hawaii since Sunday, visiting with small business and community leaders statewide.
For more information, visit www.lingle2012.com.
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Cole speaks to community, business leaders in Kona
News Release from www.lingle2012.com May 22, 2012
U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) spoke to 60 community and business leaders Monday in Kona as a special guest of former Gov. Linda Lingle, candidate for Hawaii’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Cole, the only Native American in the U.S. House of Representatives (and enrolled member of the Chickasaw nation), has earned high praise for his support and co-sponsorship of legislation for federal recognition of native Hawaiians.
Speaking of his experience working with Lingle on passing a House version of the Akaka Bill, he highlighted her commitment to advocate on behalf of native Hawaiians at the federal level.
“I know what she will do for native Hawaiians, and my own tribe is supportive of her because she understands indigenous peoples,” Cole said. “She was a two-term governor in a heavily Democrat state. She is exactly what Washington, D.C. needs – a proven problem solver.”
Cole also is recognized nationally as a small business leader. As a strong supporter of Lingle’s candidacy for U.S. Senate, he stressed to attendees how her long record of bipartisanship would be an asset to ending the partisan gridlock in Washington, D.C.
Lingle was honored to have the support of Cole, and shared his belief in working across party aisles, something she has done with success throughout her entire career in public service to the people of Hawaii.
Unafraid to speak out against her own party if an issue cuts against the best interests of the people of Hawaii, she brought up how having bipartisan representation at the Senate level is ultimately in Hawaii’s best interests.
Cole has been in Hawaii since Sunday, and will travel to Maui for a luncheon Tuesday, and return Wednesday to Oahu for the final public event of his visit.
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Cole, who supports the Akaka Bill, which would give Native Hawaiians the same rights to self-govern as other indigenous people in the United States, said Lingle would be able to help the measure get Senate approval. The bill has long had strong Democratic support from Hawaii’s congressional delegation, Cole said, but having a Republican senator from the state providing such approval might be more persuasive.
He said he doesn’t see any differences between Native Hawaiians and Native Alaskans and American Indian tribes, which are federally recognized and may self-govern.
“I don’t see the big threat” in recognizing Hawaiians, he said. “It’s a matter of equity and a matter of respecting the wishes of the people of Hawaii.”
Cole is the only Native American serving in Congress. He is enrolled as a member of the Chickasaw Nation.
He said he could see people, down the road, turning the arguments against recognizing Native Hawaiians into arguments to end federal recognition of Alaskan and Native American groups.