FRIENDS Calls on Congress to Take Action this Hispanic Heritage Month to Authorize a Location on our National Mall for the National Museum of the American Latino

WASHINGTON, D.C.  —  Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) released the following statement to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, calling on Congress to act and designate a location for the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall:

“During Hispanic Heritage Month, our country comes together to honor and celebrate the diverse history, achievements, and resiliency of American Latinos. The Latino community has shaped our nation with over 500 years of history, and our contributions are an integral piece of our nation’s beautiful fabric. Still, U.S. Latino history currently goes unseen in telling our country’s story. 

“For nearly 30 years, advocates from the community, beginning with Raul Yzaguirre in 1994, have united to advocate for a national museum dedicated to U.S. Latino stories and contributions. Today, our bipartisan and united front of philanthropic, corporate, entertainment, and federal leaders and our commitment to seeing a museum built on the National Mall is stronger than ever.

“This Hispanic Heritage Month, Congress has the opportunity to act and grant the Smithsonian Institution the authorization it needs to designate a location for the National Museum of the American Latino on our National Mall–the only place for these exhibits. The future museum must stand shoulder to shoulder with the other iconic Smithsonian museums that tell the story of our beautiful nation. 

“We will continue to lift the voices of our partners and supporters around the nation, asking Congress to commit this Hispanic Heritage Month to get us across the finish line and take the final step to ensure the long-held dream of a national museum dedicated to the history and contributions of the Latino community in our Nation’s Capital.”

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About Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS)
The Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) 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. FRIENDS is not affiliated in any way with the Smithsonian Institution. https://americanlatinomuseum.org/

FRIENDS Applauds Bipartisan Efforts to Allow Funding to Continue for the National Museum of the American Latino

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) released the following statement in response to the bipartisan and bicameral efforts to allow funding to go further for the National Museum of the American Latino:

“The National Museum of the American Latino is not just an idea but a passionate endeavor that has been in progress for nearly three decades. It represents a crucial step in expanding our understanding of American history to include the 500 years of U.S. Latino history that has long gone unnoticed in telling our nation’s story,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, FRIENDS President & CEO. 

“We are incredibly diverse with different experiences and origins that must be respected to achieve a worthy museum on our National Mall that brings our entire community together. Today, we thank Congressman Díaz-Balart and the Congressional Hispanic Conference for their commitment to working with the Smithsonian Institution to ensure the future museum is inclusive of all experiences and perspectives across the Latino community. 

“Our organization thanks the entire bipartisan coalition behind this initiative for their continued commitment by writing letters of support, calling their Representatives, and meeting with leaders to make it loud and clear: Congress must fully fund the National Museum of the American Latino and authorize the Smithsonian Institution to build it on the National Mall. We look forward to working with our national, corporate, and federal partners to ensure the House and Senate get us through the finish line this year .”

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About Friends of the American Latino Museum

The Friends of the American Latino Museum 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. FRIENDS is not affiliated in any way with the Smithsonian Institution. https://americanlatinomuseum.org/

FRIENDS STATEMENT ON DEFUNDING PROPOSAL
We urge Congress to reject any proposal that seeks to zero out funding for the National Museum of the American Latino and the Molina Family Latino Gallery..

The almost 30-year campaign to create the National Museum of the American Latino is an effort to expand our understanding of American history to include the 500 years of U.S. Latino history that currently goes unseen in the iconic halls of our Smithsonian museums. Now is not the time for unnecessary delay and division.

The U.S. Latino community is large and very diverse with different experiences and origins that must be respected in order to one day achieve an enviable and worthy Museum on our National Mall that brings our entire community together. Now is the time to collaborate on the future narrative of the Museum.

From the introduction of the first Commission bill by former Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Xavier Becerra to the signing of the Commission legislation by President George W. Bush and its enactment under President Obama, this idea to present a more complete story of U.S. history has always enjoyed bipartisan support.

Congress must remain focused on the bipartisanship of this initiative and move forward legislation to authorize the Smithsonian to build the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women’s History Museum on our National Mall THIS Congress.

The Friends organization will continue to work in community across all political ideologies to ensure that the stories of U.S. Latinos from the front lines of our nation’s defense to the far reaches of space exploration, and everything in between, are lifted up in celebration as well as to inspire generations.

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About Friends of the American Latino Museum

The Friends of the American Latino Museum 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. FRIENDS is not affiliated in any way with the Smithsonian Institution. https://americanlatinomuseum.org/

FRIENDS Statement on Alejandro Fernández’s Donation to Organization

Photo credit: Billboard, Chino Lemus

WASHINGTON, D.C.  —  Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) released the following statement following the news that Mexican music icon Alejandro Fernández will donate a portion of his upcoming AMOR y PATRIA 2023 US tour sales to FRIENDS: 

“Our organization is incredibly grateful to Alejandro Fernández for pledging to donate a portion of his tour ticket proceeds to our cause,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, FRIENDS President & CEO. “Alejandro Fernández is a giant in our American Latino community, and he has an established history of standing up for our community through his music. We are thrilled he supports our overall mission to establish a National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall.”

“After Congress failed to pass the necessary legislation to create a pathway for the Smithsonian Institution to build the future Latino museum on the National Mall, our organization reaffirmed our commitment to do everything possible to educate our community on the progress and get Congressional leaders to act,” said Lili Gil Valletta, FRIENDS Board Chair. “Donations like these are critical to our organization so we can continue working with our bipartisan coalition of national and community leaders who share our dreams of finally seeing our over 500 years of history, achievements, and contributions displayed on the National Mall.”

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About Friends of the American Latino Museum

The Friends of the American Latino Museum 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. FRIENDS is not affiliated in any way with the Smithsonian Institution. https://americanlatinomuseum.org/

WASHINGTON, D.C.  —  Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) released the following statement marking the two year anniversary of the insurrection on January 6th: 

“The violent events on January 6th, 2021 were a direct attack on our democracy. Today, on the 2nd anniversary, we take a moment to stand with the White House and those in Congress who honored those men and women who defended the Capitol and those who lost their lives in that service,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, FRIENDS President & CEO. 

“Among those officially honored by President Biden during the January 6th ceremony at the White House was Dominican American Aquilino Gonell, a U.S. Capitol police officer and veteran  who was badly beaten and injured on the day of the attack. Sergeant Gonell’s commemoration today is an example of the immense contributions that Latinos make to our country every day, and his bravery will forever be honored. Regardless of partisan disagreements, we must continue working together to protect our democracy and those that serve it–this is what makes our nation truly great. Thank you to Sergeant Gonell and each of the heroes and public citizens that received the Presidential Citizenship Medal for their sacrifice and dedication to serving our country.”

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About Friends of the American Latino Museum

The Friends of the American Latino Museum 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. FRIENDS is not affiliated in any way with the Smithsonian Institution. https://americanlatinomuseum.org/

FRIENDS Statement on Site Authorization Legislation Not Being Included in the 2023 Funding Package

WASHINGTON, D.C.  — Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) released the following statement reacting to the Site Authorization Legislation not being included in the 2023 federal government funding bill announced on December 20, 2022: 

“We are disappointed by Congress’ decision not to include the language authorizing the Smithsonian Institution to take action on its preferred locations for the future National Museum of the American Latino and the National Women’s History Museum in the year-end omnibus,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, FRIENDS President & CEO. “After almost 30 years of bipartisan advocacy in support of the creation of the National Museum of the American Latino, to have secured the location on the National Mall, it would have been a wonderful gift for the countless Latino leaders, advocates, and partners across the nation. While we are disappointed by the opposition by some members of the House and Senate to making the location for two national museums a priority, we are incredibly grateful to the Senate Rules Committee, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the bipartisan support across both chambers for their tireless work and collaboration in our efforts to ensure the Smithsonian can move forward with its vision of a more complete telling of our American history across the National Mall.”

“Without the proper legislation to remove the restriction preventing the Smithsonian Institution from designating the locations on the National Mall, the Latino community faces the risk of  not having over 500 years of our history, achievements, and contributions displayed where they belong—on the National Mall. Although this news is disappointing, our organization remains committed to working with our federal partners and bipartisan advocates and leaders to ensure the Smithsonian has a clear pathway to build our future museum in its rightful location,” said Lili Gil Valletta, FRIENDS Board Chair. “As we close out 2022, our organization is proud of the work we have accomplished and grateful to our partners throughout the country who share our dreams of finally walking through the doors of the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall.”

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WASHINGTON—Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) applauds the Smithsonian Board of Regents for narrowing its focus to two locations on the National Mall for the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum: the South Monument site and the Tidal Basin site. 

“This announcement is great news—the focus on the South Monument site and the Tidal Basin site for the future American Latino Museum and the Women’s History Museum underscores the importance of these museums for the Smithsonian, as well as for the telling of our American history across our National Mall,” said FRIENDS President and CEO Estuardo Rodriguez. “Our future National Museum of the American Latino deserves to be built on a blank canvas that allows the full expression of our community through architectural design celebrating the diversity of our experiences and culture. Both the South Monument site and the Tidal Basin site will allow this.”

“Today’s announcement also makes it abundantly clear that our work here is not done. Our national partners and community leaders remain committed to advocating in support of our U.S. Latino experience to be rightfully displayed on the National Mall until we reach the finish line,” said FRIENDS Board Chair Lili Gil Valletta. “We will continue our support of the Smithsonian Institution, Secretary Lonnie Bunch, and the Board of Regents, and the work to ensure the appropriate legislation is passed, with full bipartisan support, to create a clear pathway for both museums.”

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FRIENDS APPLAUDS THE SMITHSONIAN’S ANNOUNCEMENT TO PRIORITIZE FOUR LOCATIONS FOR FUTURE LATINO MUSEUM

Washington, D.C. – Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) celebrates the Smithsonian Institution’s statement this morning announcing that it will prioritize four locations for the future National Museum of the American Latino and the National Women’s History Museum. Those locations include the Arts and Industries Building, the Northwest Capitol site, the South Monument site, and the Tidal Basin site. This announcement is a clear statement on the significance of these museums to our American history, and highlights the importance of placing them front and center, shoulder-to-shoulder with all of the other significant museums on the National Mall. 

“FRIENDS applauds and is grateful to the Smithsonian Institution, Secretary Lonnie Bunch, Director Jorge Zamanillo, the Board of Trustees, and the entire leadership team for prioritizing the recommendations of the National Museum of the American Latino Commission 2011 report,” said FRIENDS President & CEO Estuardo Rodriguez. “Choosing a location for this spectacular museum is a momentous decision, which is why we remain committed to working in a unified and collaborative manner in support of the Smithsonian to ensure that a pathway is clear for each of these identified locations.” 

The locations announced include three of the priority locations recommended by the National Museum of the American Latino Commission in their 2011 report. Each one of these locations, apart from the Arts and Industries Building, will require action by Congress and/or federal agencies with jurisdiction. 

“The work for the community, public officials, and corporate leaders is clear. Now, more than ever, is the time to form a collective effort to elevate the importance of the four sites, offer support to the Smithsonian in its work to secure the best locations, and ensure the sites are available to the Smithsonian for both museums,” said Lili Gil Valletta, FRIENDS Board Chair. “FRIENDS remains committed to ensuring the White House, Congress, and related federal agencies, do everything in their power to build the National Museum of the American Latino, along with the National Women’s History Museum, on the National Mall.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS) today announced its 11th Annual Design Contest with a call for artists to submit their best work that depicts and celebrates Latino history and culture in the United States. This year’s design contest theme is “Build it on the National Mall.” The top 10 designs will advance to a national round where the public can vote on their favorite design. As in previous years, the submission with the most votes will be deemed the winner and receive a $500 gift card. In addition, their artwork will appear across the many digital and in-person platforms of the FRIENDS campaign, including posters and promotional materials throughout the remainder of the year.

“It is a great honor to have provided artists over the past decade an opportunity to share their vision of the future National Museum of the American Latino through art,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, President and CEO of FRIENDS. “Artistic expression is something that leaves a lasting impression in our country’s collective hearts, minds and history. Our nation’s Latino and Latina artists have been telling the authentic story of our community for hundreds of years. We must honor them and lift up the next generation. It is my hope that our Design Contest will help spotlight the next great Latino artist and one day their work will be displayed in our future museum on the National Mall for the world to see.”

“There are so many undiscovered talents that we hope to bring forth into the spotlight through this competition. Latino artists and their artwork have been, historically, left out of Smithsonian museums, according to a 1994 report called ‘Willful Neglect,’ which is what spurred the movement to create a National Latino Museum. Until we build a National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall, it is our duty to continue to highlight those who are bringing together their talent, creativity and culture to elevate our voices and impact to this great nation,” said Lili Gil Valletta, Board Chair of FRIENDS and President & CEO of Cien+.

Presented with the generous support of Target and AARP, the 11th Annual Design Contest celebrates the Latino community’s rich heritage and talent, inviting artists to share their vision of what American Latino history means to them.

“As Chief Diversity Officer, I am immensely proud to sponsor the American Latino Design Contest this year. AARP’s commitment to inclusion started with our founding in 1958 and we continuously work to become a model DEI organization. The level of passion the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino brings to their work on the National Mall is admirable and something AARP strives to emulate,” stated Edna Kane Williams, Executive Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer at AARP.

Previous winners have included Latino painters, designers, and illustrators from coast to coast and everywhere in between who represent the full diversity of American Latinos in the US.

The deadline for artists to submit their designs is April 28, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Public voting begins on our Facebook page from May 2, 2022, through May 4, 2022. The winning artist and design will be announced on Cinco de Mayo, May 5, 2022.

Design Contest Announcement

On May 12, 2022, Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) announced Fatima Olea as the winner of its 11th Annual Design Contest. Fatima Olea is an illustrator from Arizona and won for her submission titled A little bird told me, pictured above.

““Keep dreaming, but never stop painting” — It’s what I keep telling myself everyday. Today, one of my dreams came true when My piece “A Little Bird Told Me” won the FRIENDS annual design contest,” Olea says. “This is a great opportunity to share what I do and inspire Latinos to feel proud of themselves and embrace their history and culture. It’s important to see our future National Museum of the American Latino built on the National Mall to share with the world the many things our culture has to offer, promote acceptance and welcome people to our community.”

Olea said the acrylic on canvas painting “talks about heritage, culture, and how it’s been passed [down] generation by generation like the whispering of a little bird that carries all that wisdom from our ancestors.” Olea continued, “The girl is not showing her face to keep the mystery of the spectators but at the same time to invite them to identify themselves with the painting.”

For 11 consecutive years, FRIENDS has organized a design contest and invited artists from across the country to share their talent with the Latino community. This year, FRIENDS invited artists to share their vision of what the future National Museum of the American Latino will look like on the National Mall. FRIENDS received over 250 submissions from artists across the United States and Puerto Rico. The FRIENDS 2022 Design Contest’s Finalists drew almost 2000 votes throughout the public voting period with Olea’s design earning the highest number.

“Fatima’s design artistically captures the beauty and richness of our Latino heritage and culture. The colors she used are vibrant, lively, and symbolize the 500 years of Latino contributions that deserve to be on the National Mall with the rest of our nation’s history,” said Estuardo V. Rodriguez, President & CEO of FRIENDS. “We are grateful to Fatima and every artist who submitted a design to help tell the Smithsonian leadership to build the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall — specifically on the South Monument Site, on the corner of 14th St and Independence Avenue SW. Thank you to our sponsors, AARP and Target Corporation, for their continued support to make this year’s design contest a success.”

Olea won a $500 Target gift card for her design. Olea’s design will be at the center of FRIENDS’ 2022 campaign materials, including posters, digital imagery, and other materials to support advocacy efforts to secure the best location for the future National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall.

The 2022 Design Contest was made possible by FRIENDS partners AARP and Target Corporation’s generous support.