Mr. President, May 1st is a special day in many cultures. The Celts and Saxons, and others in pre-Christian Europe celebrated the first planting and the beauty of spring. These agrarian celebrations continued down through the centuries and remain popular today. In much of Europe, May 1st is also a labor holiday, honoring the labor of workers. The first of May, however, has a unique and very special significance to the people of Hawaii. "May Day is Lei Day" in Hawaii. Lei Day is a nonpolitical and nonpartisan celebration. Indeed, its sole purpose is to engage in random acts of kindness and sharing, and to celebrate the Aloha spirit, that intangible, but palpable, essence which is best exemplified by the hospitality and inclusiveness exhibited by the Native Hawaiians -- Hawaii's indigenous peoples -- to all people of goodwill.

A lei is a garland of flowers joined together in a manner which can be worn. There are many different styles of lei made of numerous types of flowers. The type of flower used determines the manner in which the lei is woven. While Hawaii and the Native Hawaiian culture are properly acknowledged for giving the lei such prominence, and the lei is a sensory manifestation of the Aloha spirit, other Pacific island peoples – the Polynesians and Micronesians, for example – and Southeast Asians use floral garlands to greet and honor guests.

A lei symbolizes, love, support, and friendship. Longstanding tradition in Hawaii has made May 1st a special day for the people of Hawaii. The Territory of Hawaii observed its first "May Day is Lei Day" celebration on May 1, 1928. There were many festivities and competitions that exhibited lei made of flowers from the different islands. In addition, many schools held elaborate programs throughout the islands.

This tradition has continued for many years in Hawaii. In 1929, Governor Farrington signed a Lei Day proclamation urging the citizens of Hawaii to "observe the day and honor the traditions of Hawaii-nei by wearing and displaying lei." Many schools celebrate this day by holding pageants where students honor the many cultures and traditions of Hawaii. Students commonly elect a May Day court, commemorating Hawaii's royal heritage, that consists of two representatives who wear flowers and colored Aloha attire representative and customary for each of the eight major islands of Hawaii. In addition, many communities hold events in honor of Lei Day, including lei making contests and concerts.

This year, the Hawaii State Legislature passed a bill to officially recognize May 1 as "Lei Day in Hawaii." The bill was recently signed into law by Governor Benjamin Cayetano.

Mr. President, in an effort to share the Aloha spirit across America and around the world, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau will be sharing lei in seventeen cities today. Approximately 31,000 lei will be shared in 17 cities around the world, including here in Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Vancouver, Seoul, Sydney, Beijing, and Buenos Aires. The lei will be of three types: plumeria, tuberose, and dendrobium orchids. I am pleased that we in Washington, D.C., are able to participate in this wonderful celebration of the Aloha spirit. Across Capitol Hill this morning, young people from the metropolitan area who are students of Native Hawaiian hula, language and culture are sharing a floral greeting and compilation of beautiful Hawaiian music with every Senator and Member of Congress. I encourage all of my colleagues to enjoy the fragrant and beautiful lei, listen to the music and allow yourself to be transported to Hawaii where you too will discover the cheer and camaraderie of Lei Day.

The songwriter Red Hawke captured it best when he wrote:

"May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii,
Garlands of flowers everywhere,
All of the colors in the rainbow,
Maidens with blossoms in their hair,
Flowers that mean we should be happy,
Throwing aside a load of care,
Oh, May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii,
May Day is happy day out there."

Thank you Mr. President. I yield the floor.