Hawaii Bill Tries to Quiet Birthers, Give Access to Obama's Birth Record
State lawmakers try to quell birthers with access to certified Obama records.
Jan. 31, 2011— -- Five Hawaii Democratic state legislators have introduced a bill that would allow anyone seeking an original, certified copy of Barack Obama's birth record to obtain one -- for $110.
The measure, introduced in the state legislature last week, would change a state law that currently limits the release of vital documents to persons with a "direct and tangible interest," such as family members.
"I'm hoping that it will also reduce the number of calls that we get and calm the birthers down," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Rida Cabanilla, in an interview. "It may to a certain extent reduce the conspiracy theories, but at least the fee might reduce the number of frivolous calls asking for explanations about why a copy cannot be released."
The Obama campaign released an electronic copy of his "certification of live birth" in 2008. But it didn't quiet skeptics who insist, without evidence, that Obama was born in Kenya. They have flooded phone lines at Hawaii's health department with hundreds of requests for access to original documents.
The certified copy lists the date, hour and location of Obama's birth, as well as the names and races of his parents. It includes an embossed seal of authenticity from the Department of Health, according to images posted online.
Cabanilla's bill would allow anyone to receive a physical copy of that certification for a fee.
"It's costing us an incredible amount of time and resources to field these requests and explain to people what the law says," Cabanilla said. "The fee would also help us raise some cash to close our state budget deficit."
Hawaii's Gov. Neil Abercrombie, a Democrat, has said ending conspiracy theories surrounding President Obama's birthplace is a priority.
He has conducted his own investigation and recently attested that the original, hand-notated record of Obama's birth exists in state archives.
