Resolution says Hawaii Obama's birthplace

WASHINGTON, July 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives Monday approved a resolution observing Hawaii's statehood anniversary and noting the Aloha State is Barack Obama's birthplace.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, countering a movement challenging President Obama's U.S. birth, introduced the measure. Hawaii celebrates its 50th anniversary in August.

The final vote was 378-0, with 220 Democrats and 158 Republicans voting in favor of the resolution. More than 50 members did not vote.

Abercrombie's non-binding resolution appeared to be intended to counter so-called birthers, who claim -- despite credible evidence to the contrary -- that Obama is not U.S. born and so is ineligible to be president. Obama's campaign last year provided a copy of his certificate of live birth issued by Hawaii.

"In the language of the resolution, there is a statement that Hawaii is the birthplace of the 44th president of the United States," Abercrombie spokesman Dave Helfert said.

Denying the representative was trying to stir up some trouble or take a dig at the birthers, Helfert said, "The president was born there, so what are you gonna do? Not mention it?"