Hawaii Statehood

President Eisenhower stated his support for the idea of statehood for Hawaii early in his administration but appropriate legislation failed to make it through Congress until the Hawaii Admission Act of 1959. President Eisenhower signed the bill into law on March 18, 1959. In June of 1959 the citizens of Hawaii voted on a referendum to accept the statehood bill and on August 21, 1959, President Eisenhower signed the official proclamation admitting Hawaii as the 50th state.

Roger Jones (Bureau of the Budget) to Bernard Shanley regarding islands to be included in state of Hawaii, April 27, 1953 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 632, OF-147-E-1 Hawaiian Statehood(1); NAID #16606985]

Letter, Mrs. Joseph Farrington to the President regarding statehood for Hawaii, August 8, 1954 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 632, OF-147-E-1 Hawaiian Statehood (1); NAID #16610953]

Memo, Mrs. Joseph Farrington to the President regarding Hawaii statehood bill, August 8, 1954 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 632, OF-147-E-1 Hawaiian Statehood (1); NAID #16610954]

Letter, Samuel P. King to Leonard Hall, Republican National Committee regarding upcoming general election, September 20, 1954 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 631, OF-147-E Hawaii (2); NAID #16610955]

Letter, the President to Hon. Samuel P. King, October 25, 1954 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 631, OF-147-E Hawaii (2); NAID #16610956]

Statement on Hawaii statehood by Secretary of the Interior Fred A. Seaton, April 2, 1957 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 632, OF-147-E-1, Hawaiian Statehood (1); NAID #16607081]

President Eisenhower's statements regarding statehood for Alaska and Hawaii, September 1958 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 630, OF-147-D-1 Alaskan Statehood (1); NAID #12012412]

Memo, Secretary of the Interior Fred A. Seaton to the President regarding celebration of Hawaii statehood, February 4, 1959 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 632, OF-147-E-1 Hawaiian Statehood (2); NAID #16610957]

Cablegram, the President to Gov. William Quinn regarding celebration plans, February 6, 1959 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 632, OF-147-E-1 Hawaiian Statehood (2); NAID #16610960]

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 11, February 20, 1959 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 632, OF-147-E-1 Hawaiian Statehood (2); NAID #16610961]

Press release, the President's statement on signing of S.50, March 18, 1959 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 631, OF-147-E Hawaii (10); NAID #16610958]

Press release regarding the effects of statehood, March 18, 1959 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 631, OF-147-E Hawaii (10); NAID #16610959]

Bulletin 59-7, Effects of Hawaii Statehood, April 8, 1959 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 631, OF-147-E Hawaii (10); NAID #16610966]

Letter, Gov. William Quinn to the President regarding propositions submitted to electors, July 2, 1959 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 631, OF-147-E Hawaii (11); NAID #16610967]

Press release regarding Presidential proclamation #3309, Admission of the State of Hawaii into the Union, August 21, 1959 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 631, OF-147-E Hawaii (12); NAID #16610964]

Remarks of the President on signing proclamation #3309, August 21, 1959 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 631, OF-147-E Hawaii (12); NAID #16610965]

List of witnesses to signing of proclamation #3309 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 631, OF-147-E Hawaii (12); NAID #16610963]

Letter, the President to Gov. William Quinn re addition of Hawaii to the Union, August 24, 1959 [DDE's Records as President, Official File, Box 631, OF-147-E Hawaii (12); NAID #16610962]

Audio:

Remarks of the President on signing the proclamation admitting Hawaii to the Union, August 21, 1959 [EL-D16-89 IR]

Additional Information:

Hawaii Statehood Subject Guide

Photographs: