STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1504-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.C.R. No. 167

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 167 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT FEDERAL LEGISLATION GRANTING STATEHOOD TO THE PEOPLE OF WASHINGTON, D.C,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the United States Congress to enact federal legislation granting statehood to the people of Washington, D.C.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; and American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i.

Your Committee finds that the people of Washington, D.C., share all the responsibilities of United States citizenship, including paying federal taxes, serving on federal juries, and defending the United States as members of the United States Armed Forces. Your Committee further finds that despite having a population larger than two states and equivalent to a third state, the people of Washington, D.C., are denied full representation in Congress. This measure urges members of the United States Congress to give the people of Washington, D.C., the same rights of self-governance and citizenship as other taxpaying American citizens by enacting federal legislation granting statehood to Washington, D.C.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 167 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair