Floor Statements

  • Statement from Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono Commemorating Veterans Day
    Nov 11, 2009  - Aloha, This Veterans Day gives us another opportunity to honor the men and women in uniform who have demonstrated such courage and commitment in serving our country. Whenever I meet former and current members of our Armed Forces, National Guard, and Reserve, I am reminded of their unwavering dedica... More
  • Statement of Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono In support of H.R. 3962
    Nov 7, 2009  - Madam Speaker: The U.S. Congress has been grappling with how to provide all our citizens with access to affordable, quality health care since the time of President Harry Truman.  H.R. 3962 represents a critical milestone in the effort to reform our health care system. For those who have it, health... More
  • On the Importance of Health Care Reform to Women
    Nov 5, 2009  - Madam Speaker: Few Americans have more at stake in health care reform than women.  40 states allow private health insurance companies to gender rate their premiums.  As a result, a 25 year old woman may pay between 6 percent and 45 percent more than a 25 year old man for the same coverage. 52 pe... More
  • The Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2009
    Nov 4, 2009  - Madam Speaker: I rise today to introduce the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2009.  This legislation is a companion to S. 76, which was introduced earlier this year by Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Native Hawaiians, like American Indians and Alaska Natives, are an indige... More
  • On the Importance of Education Reform
    Oct 27, 2009  - Madam Speaker, One of the most notable improvements I’ve seen since the beginning of this administration is the importance the President has placed on education.  I know I’m not alone in recognizing how President Obama and Education Secretary Duncan have changed the tone in the education community.... More
  • Condolences to Indonesia for Earthquake Destruction
    Oct 14, 2009  - I rise today in support of H.Res. 810.  I would like to thank Congressman Dan Burton for his work on this resolution. In February 2008, I visited Indonesia as a member of the House Democracy Partnership.  While our focus was meeting with members of the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or Indo... More
  • Condolences to American Samoa & Samoa Following Earthquakes & Tsunamis
    Oct 14, 2009  - I rise today in support of H.Res. 861, which expresses the condolences of the Congress to the Samoas following the natural disasters in the South Pacific. I cannot stress how much these terrifying events were so deeply felt throughout the State of Hawaii because of our close familial, historical, c... More
  • Expressing Sympathy to Citizens of Philippines After Recent Storms
    Oct 14, 2009  - I rise today in support of H.Res. 800, which expresses the sympathy of the Congress to citizens of the Philippines after Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma.  I would like to thank Congresswoman Jackie Speier for her work on this resolution. My heart is with those who were lost, their lov... More
  • In Support of Health Care Reform
    Sep 15, 2009  - Madam Speaker: Health insurance is not something one can take for granted.  Every day 14,000 Americans lose their coverage.  A recent Treasury Department report noted that approximately half of all Americans under the age of 65 will lose their coverage at some point over the next 10 yea... More
  • Statement on Health Care Reform
    Sep 9, 2009  - The most damaging aspect of the misinformation circulating about health care insurance reform is the use of scare tactics targeted at seniors. The cynical irony is that the misinformation targeting seniors are largely perpetuated by the same people who fought the establishment of Medicare and wanted... More

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