President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Statements Regarding Statehood for Alaska and Hawaii

OFE filed # 147-D-1 STATEHOOD FOR ALASKA AND HAWAII XCH147-D YOF147-E-1 XUF147-E CAMPAIGN STATEMENTS (No statements on Statehood) STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS - February 2, 1953 "Another of its major concerns is our country's island possessions. Here, one matter deserves attention. The platforms of both political parties promised immediate statehood to Hawaii. The people of that Territory have earned that status. Statehood should be granted promptley with the first election scheduled for 1954." STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SECOND DAY'S SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE - Friday, December 18, 1953 On the second ay of conferences with Congressional leaders and Chairmen of Senate and House Committees, eight main subjects were discussed, one of which was Hawaiian Statehood: "The question of statehood for Hawaii was discussed and it was pointed out that the Republican Platform urges "immediate statehood for that Territory. PRESIDENT EISENHOWER'S PRESS AND RADIO CONFERENCE - February 25, 1953 Q. Barnet Nover, Denver Post. Will you try to recommend early Congressional action on Statehood for Alaska? THE PRESIDENT: I believe the Republican Platform says that Alaska's situation will be studied, to make a determination as to whether or not Statehood should be recommended and granted. I think in the case of Hawaii, the case has been proved. It's a large population, it has a broad local industry to support it -- broad tax base -- they provided fighting men in the war, and made a fine record -- and their case has been proven. To my mind, not yet has the Alaskan case been completely proven. It is more a dependency than it is a separate and self-supporting region. And I think the cases are not the same, so I am not yet prepared to make such a recommendation. PRESIDENT EISENHOWER'S PRESS AND RADIO CONFERENCE - May 14, 1953 Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Alice Johnson, Seattle Times. Mr. President, are you still opposed to the inclusion of Alaska in the Hawaiian Statehood Bill? THE PRESIDENT: I am personally of the belief that the Hawaiian bill should be handled by itself on its merits. I have said time and again, and this is entirely aside from what the Republican Platform said on it - my own conviction is this: In Hawaii you have an economy that is self-supporting, there is a large population, and on top of that, they delivered a record in World War Two that to my mind clearly entitles them to the privileges of Statehood. And I would like to see that case handled clearly and specifically on its merits, without complicating it with any other question -- any other matter. STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS - January 7, 1954 "The people of Hawaii are ready for statehood. I renew my request for this legislation in order that Hawaii may elect its State officials and its representatives in Washington along with the rest of the country this fall. 11