Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle (R) is lobbying Senate Republicans as a vote on the Native Hawaiian recognition bill approaches.

Lingle wrote the letter in response to the recent U.S. Civil Rights Commission report that rejected the Native Hawaiian bill. She said the report was flawed and based on inaccurate information.

The Republican-dominated commission approved the report by a vote of 4-2. Arlan Melendez, the chairman of the Reno Sparks Indian Colony in Nevada, voted against the report.

The Senate is set to consider the bill in early June. It is currently being held back by some Senate Republican, so a motion to clear the hold will be filed before debate can occur.

Get the Story:
Lingle lobbies for Akaka bill (The Honolulu Advertiser 5/18)

Civil Rights Commission Report:
The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005 (May 2006)

Civil Rights Commission Transcript:
January 20, 2006 Meeting

School Admission Policy Decision:
Doe v. Kamehameha Schools (August 2, 2005)

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Decision:
Arakaki v. Lingle (August 31, 2005)

Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill:
Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005 (S.147)

Rice v. Cayetano Resources:
Abstract, Audio and More

Rice v. Cayetano Election Rights Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion | Concurrence Dissent (Stevens) | Dissent (Ginsburg)

Senate Republican Policy Paper:
Why Congress Must Reject Race-Based Government for Native Hawaiians (June 2005)

Relevant Links:
US Commission on Civil Rights - http://www.usccr.gov
Native Hawaiian Sovereignty Site - http://www.hawaii-nation.org
Native Hawaiian Federal Recognition Site - http://www.nativehawaiians.com

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