Beneficiary urges OHA to keep Daniel K. Akaka name on congressional fellowship, questions leadership advice

During public testimony, OHA beneficiary Germaine Myers urged trustees to retain the Daniel K. Akaka name on a congressional fellowship and challenged the administration's rationale for proposing a name change. Myers said the anecdotal justification cited by leadership was inconsistent with the congressional record and urged the board to apply the same standards of stewardship and accuracy it uses for other historical matters.

Myers noted that the U.S. Congress had unanimously approved naming the Daniel K. Akaka VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic and said that a single anecdote about political divisiveness in Washington should not override that bipartisan record. The commenter asked trustees to consider legacy, accuracy and who OHA relies on for advice when making decisions that affect public history.

Trustees acknowledged the testimony and recorded it for the record. No formal motion or vote on the fellowship name occurred during the meeting; staff indicated prior discussions on the subject in a separate Budget & Finance committee meeting and the item is likely to be revisited.