Secretary of the Interior Fred Seaton Recommends Eisenhower Endorse Plans Celebrating Hawaiian Statehood (1959)

Date: February 4, 1959

Created By: Fred A. Seaton, Secretary of the Interior

Original or Replica: Original

Era: The Presidency, Alaska & Hawaii Statehood

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: DDE’s Records as President, Official File, Box 632, OF-147-E-1 Hawaiian Statehood (2); NAID #16610957

In this February 4, 1959 memorandum, Secretary of the Interior Fred A. Seaton informs President Dwight D. Eisenhower about plans in Hawaii for a year-long celebration anticipating the territory’s admission as a state. Seaton explains that Hawaii Governor William F. Quinn believed that beginning preparations for the celebration would help build greater public support for statehood legislation while also emphasizing Hawaii’s importance in the Pacific.

According to the memorandum, Quinn had organized a Territory-wide citizens’ conference to develop plans for the proposed celebration. He requested a statement from Eisenhower endorsing the effort that could be presented when the conference convened on February 7. Seaton recommends that Eisenhower approve and sign an attached radiogram expressing his support. The memorandum therefore provides a behind-the-scenes view of the administration’s involvement with Hawaii’s statehood movement and shows territorial officials actively working to generate enthusiasm for admission to the Union.

The document is especially useful when paired with Eisenhower’s February 6 cablegram to Quinn, as it reveals the internal White House recommendation that led to the president’s public message of support. Together, the documents illustrate cooperation among Hawaii’s territorial government, the Department of the Interior, and the Eisenhower administration as the campaign for Hawaiian statehood entered its final stages.