House and Senate Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Designate a Location for the National American Latino Museum
Friends of the American Latino Museum call on Congress to support and pass the bill which would establish the Arts and Industries Building as the future site of the American Latino Museum
Washington, DC – The Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS), a 501(c)3 created to support the American Latino Museum initiative, applauds the introduction yesterday of S.1868, the Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act, by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA) and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). This is a significant legislative step in the journey to establish a National American Latino Museum. As recommended by the Commission of the National Museum of the American Latino, a body appointed by Congress and the President, the legislation would designate the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall in Washington, DC as the future location of the proposed museum.
This bill demonstrates that preservation of Latino American history is a priority in Congress. It takes the first step toward applying the recommendations of the commission report, released in May of this year, and is marked progress toward making the American Latino Museum a reality.
Jonathan Yorba, Chair of the Friends of the American Latino Museum stated, “We are very excited about the introduction of this legislation. There are countless untold stories of the contributions of American Latinos to U.S. history, and this bill begins to right this wrong by designating a space for telling these stories. As the only non-profit organization dedicated to furthering an American Latino Museum, we proudly stand with the bipartisan leaders in the House and Senate in their pursuit to move this bill forward for full passage by Congress.”
Henry Muñoz, Chairman of the National Museum of the American Latino Commission, expressed his support for the bill by stating, “Today is historic. The bipartisan legislation, authored by Senator Robert Menendez, Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senator Marco Rubio, moves us closer to the day when the contributions of Latinos to every aspect of American history and culture are celebrated on our National Mall. As chairman of the commission to study the feasibility of a National Museum of the American Latino, indeed as one of the more than fifty million United States citizens of Latino heritage, I want to thank Senator Menendez, Majority Leader Reid, and Senator Rubio for their leadership and belief in the importance of establishing the Smithsonian American Latino Museum, to illuminate the American story for all.”
The Arts and Industries building is an idyllic location for the American Latino Museum. It is found on the National Mall near many other museums and attractions, and it is an illustration of history itself as it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The commission considered many factors before recommending a site including location, ability to meet program needs, costs, accessibility to the public, size, and environmental sustainability.
This is a long-term project and S.1868 will put the wheels in motion that will result in an American populous with a greater understanding of its heritage. The Friends of the American Latino Museum commends the House and Senate sponsors of the Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act.
Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (www.americanlatinomuseum.org) Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino, Inc., a 501(c)(3) incorporated in Washington, D.C., strives to create a museum in our nation’s capital to educate, inspire and encourage respect and understanding of the richness and diversity of the American Latino experience within the U.S. and its territories by highlighting the contributions made by Latino leaders, pioneers and communities to the American way of life.
CONTACT:
Estuardo Rodriguez: (202) 631-2892 erodriguez@rabengroup.com
Laura Rodriguez: (310) 956-2425 lrodriguez@rabengroup.com
