Memorandum, Mrs. Joseph (Elizabeth P.) Farrington to President Dwight D. Eisenhower Regarding Hawaii Statehood Bill

Mrs . JOSEPH R. FARRINGTON DELEGATE FROM HAWAII Congress of the United States House of Representatibes Washington, D. €. August 8, 1954 Memorandum for the President: Subject: H. R. 3575 -- Hawaii statehood bill. Position Now: This bill for Hawaiian statehood passed the House on March 10, 1953. It was amended in the Senate to include statehood for Alaska and thus was passed on April 1, 1954. It went back to the House with a Senate request for a conference and is now on the Speaker's desk awaiting action. Action Possible: To make effective the action of the Congress which by a two-thirds vote passed the bill granting statehood to Hawaii, and in order to support the program of the President as stated by him in two State of the Union messages to Congress, the House leadership could secure a rule a) to permit the appointment of conferees so that the two houses could consider the measure immediately; b) to permit the House to vote on accepting the Senate amendment and then vote on the bill. Recommended Action: That course a) be followed, namely, send the bill to conference immediately for the following reasons: a) Even if the bill as amended by the Senate were acceptable it would require certain changes in the time schedule which the bill sets up for Hawaii so that it can be really operative. As it is the dates stated have already been passed. b) Conference would permit possible adjustment of aspects of the legislation to conform more nearly to Administration policy particularly with regard to national security in Alaska.