On November 16, 2020, Professor Stephen Pitti, Professor of History and Director of Center for the Study of Race, Indigeneity, and Transnational Migration (RITM) at Yale University submitted the following letter to the to the Senate Rules Committee on behalf of the 210 signatories.
Dear Chairman Blunt and Ranking Member Klobuchar,
We write as historians of Latino communities in the United States to thank you for bringing the National American Latino Museum Act before the Rules Committee. We hope that you will support approval of this important legislation.
We believe that accurate recognition of Latino history is critical to the twenty-first century United States, and that the Smithsonian should take the lead in assuring that educators, policymakers, and others understand the involvement and perspectives, and the visions and contributions, of Latinos.
A new Smithsonian museum on the National Mall should engage broad audiences, collect historical artifacts and stories, gather teachers and researchers, host students of all ages, foreground artistic expressions, and sponsor well-informed public discussions on pressing topics. The museum should be polyphonic, representing many perspectives and experiences, and it should be ambitious, tracing communities from past centuries into our contemporary moment. We feel sure that it will also be grounded in scholarship, drawing from thousands of recent publications that have documented these histories.
The United States must preserve and share ever more accurate stories of its past, and the Smithsonian must play a central role in educating the public about Latinos in American history. We urge the Senate to support the National American Latino Museum Act, and we thank the bipartisan set of Senate co-sponsors who are now working to make this museum a reality.
Sincerely, and on behalf of the group below,
Stephen Pitti
Professor of History and Director of the RITM Center Yale University
1. Grisel Y. Acosta, Associate Professor, City University of New York – BCC
2. Michael Damien Aguirre, Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University
3. Jose Alamillo, Professor, California State University Channel Islands
4. C.J. Alvarez, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin
5. Allison Amend, Professor, Lehman College
6. Mike Amezcua, Assistant Professor of History, Georgetown University
7. Lauren Araiza, Associate Professor, Denison University
8. José Aranda, Associate Professor, Rice University
9. Gabriela F. Arredondo, Associate Professor and Chair, UC Santa Cruz
10. Eric Avila, Professor, UCLA
11. Dorothy Baca, Professor, University of New Mexico
12. Octavio Barajas, Professor, College of the Sequoias
13. Llana Barber, Associate Professor, State University of New York at Old Westbury
14. Philis M. Barragán Goetz, Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University – San Antonio
15. Lee Bebout, Professor, Arizona State University
16. Daniel Becerra, Assistant Professor, Brigham Young University
17. Brian Behnken, Associate Professor, Iowa State University
18. Maylei Blackwell, Associate Professor, UCLA
19. Eladio Bobadilla, Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky
20. Eddie Bonilla, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pittsburgh
21. Rick Bonus, Professor and Chair, University of Washington
22. Ralph William Boone, Lecturer, Lehman College (CUNY)
23. Allyson Brantley, Assistant Professor, University of La Verne
24. Laura Briggs, Professor, University of Massachusetts
25. Michael Bustamante, Assistant Professor, Florida International University
26. Katherine Bynum, Assistant Professor, Arizona State University
27. Geraldo Cadava, Associate Professor, Northwestern University
28. Albert M. Camarillo, Leon Sloss Jr. Memorial Professor, Stanford University
29. JoAnn Canales, Scholar in Residence Emerita, Council of Graduate Schools
30. Ginetta E.B. Candelario, Professor, Smith College
31. Julio Capo Jr., Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab, Florida International University
32. Matt Caprioli, Lecturer, Lehman College (CUNY)
33. Genevieve Carpio, Assistant Professor, UCLA
34. Maria Raquel Casas, Associate Professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
35. Antonia I. Castañeda, Professor Emeritus, St. Mary’s University
36. Melissa Castillo Planas, Assistant Professor, Lehman College
37. Eliana Castro, Assistant Professor, University of Vermont
38. Maria Elena Cepeda, Professor, Williams College
39. Jaime Chahin, Professor and Dean of Applied Arts, Texas State University
40. Robert Chao Romero, Professor, UCLA
41. Ben Chappell, Associate Professor, University of Kansas
42. John R. Chavez, Professor, Southern Methodist University
43. Marisela R. Chávez, Professor, California State University, Dominguez Hills
44. Miroslava Chavez-Garcia, Professor, UC Santa Barbara
45. Deborah Cohen, Associate Professor, University of Missouri – St. Louis
46. Eduardo Contreras, Associate Professor, Hunter College and The Graduate Center (CUNY)
47. Cary Cordova, Associate Professor, University of Texas at Austin
48. Raúl Coronado, Associate Professor, UC Berkeley
49. Maria Cotera, Associate Professor, University of Texas at Austin
50. Jorge E. Cuéllar, Assistant Professor, Dartmouth College
51. Arlene Davila, Professor and Director, New York University
52. Jesús F. de la Teja, Regents’ Professor Emeritus, Texas State University
53. Maritza De La Trinidad, Associate Professor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
54. George Diaz, Associate Professor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
55. Maggie Elmore, Assistant Professor, Sam Houston State University
56. Cindy Ermus, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio
57. Stacey Engels, Adjunct Lecturer, Lehman College (CUNY)
58. Sandra I. Enríquez, Assistant Professor, University of Missouri-Kansas City
59. Edward Escobar, Emeritus Associate Professor, Arizona State University
60. Elizabeth R. Escobedo, Associate Professor, University of Denver
61. Jesus Jesse Esparza, Assistant Professor, Texas Southern University
62. Dionne Espinoza, Professor, California State University Los Angeles
63. Eileen J. Findlay, Professor, American University
64. Lori Flores, Associate Professor, Stony Brook University (SUNY)
65. Neil Foley, Robert and Nancy Dedman Endowed Chair in History, Southern Methodist University
66. Vanessa Fonseca-Chávez, Assistant Professor, Arizona State University
67. Claire F. Fox, Professor, University of Iowa
68. Benjamin Francis-Fallon, Professor, Western Carolina University
69. Alicia Gaspar de Alba, Professor, UCLA
70. Lorena Gauthereau, Lecturer and Manager, University of Houston
71. Maia Gil’Adí, Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Lowell
72. Mark A. Goldberg, Associate Professor, University of Houston
73. Trinidad Gonzales, President, Refusing to Forget
74. David-James Gonzales, Assistant Professor, Brigham Young University
75. Cynthia I. Gonzales, Associate Professor, Texas State University
76. Jerry Gonzalez, Associate Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio
77. John Morán González, J. Frank Dobie Regents Professor, University of Texas at Austin
78. Dr. Tiffany Gonzalez, Postdoctoral Fellow, Tulane University
79. Gabriela Gonzalez, Associate Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio
80. Adam Goodman, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago
81. Sarah Zenaida Gould, Interim Executive Director, Mexican American Civil Rights Institute
82. Lillian Guerra, Professor, University of Florida
83. Frank Guridy, Professor, Columbia University
84. Ramón A. Gutiérrez, Professor, University of Chicago
85. Romeo Guzman, Professor, Claremont Graduate University
86. Lisbeth Haas, Professor Emeritus, UC Santa Cruz
87. Michelle Habell-Pallan, Professor, University of Washington
88. Ian Haney-Lopez, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor, UC Berkeley
89. Lori Harris, Dean, University of Cincinnati
90. Brett Hendrickson, Professor, Lafayette College
91. Sonia Hernandez, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University
92. Ray Hernández-Durán, Professor, University of New Mexico
93. Brian Eugenio Herrera, Associate Professor, Princeton University
94. Torrie Hester, Associate Professor, Saint Louis University
95. Felipe Hinojosa, Professor, Texas A&M University
96. Jesse Hoffnung-Garskof, Professor, University of Michigan
97. Luis G. Hoyos, Emeritus Professor of Architecture, California State Polytechnic University Pomona
98. Michael D Innis Jimenez, Professor, University of Alabama
99. Ylce Irizarry, Associate Professor, University of South Florida
100. Karl Jacoby, Allan Nevins Professor, Columbia University
101. Benjamin H. Johnson, Professor, Loyola University Chicago
102. Gaye Theresa Johnson, Associate Professor, UCLA
103. Ana M. Juarez, Associate Professor, Texas State University
104. S. Deborah Kang, Anne Stark and Chester Watson Associate Professor, University of Texas at Dallas
105. Sonia Kania, Associate Professor, University of Texas at Arlington
106. Kris Klein Hernández, Postdoctoral Associate, Yale University
107. Max Krochmal, Associate Professor, Texas Christian University
108. Marisol Lebrón, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin
109. Priscilla Leiva, Assistant Professor, Loyola Marymount University
110. Gerardo Licon, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
111. Julian Lim, Associate Professor, Arizona State University
112. Rick Lopez, Professor, Amherst College
113. Troy Lovata, Professor, University of New Mexico
114. Mireya Loza, Visiting Assistant Professor, Georgetown University
115. Rosina Lozano, Associate Professor, Princeton University
116. Kelly Lytle Hernandez, Professor and The Thomas E. Lifka Endowed Chair of History, UCLA
117. Arturo Madrid, Professor Emeritus, Trinity University
118. Cecilia Márquez, Assistant Professor, Duke University
119. Benjamin Marquez, Professor, University of Wisconsin
120. Dr. Valerie A. Martinez, History Program Head and Assistant Professor, Our Lady of the Lake University
121. Veronica Martinez-Matsuda, Associate Professor, Cornell University
122. Juliana Martínez, Assistant Professor, American University
123. Katherine Massoth, Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico
124. Timothy Matovina, Professor, University of Notre Dame
125. Joseph McElligott, Lecturer, Lehman College
126. John Mckiernan-Gonzalez, Director of the Center for the Study of the Southwest and Associate Professor, Texas State University
127. Natalie Mendoza, Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Boulder
128. April Merleaux, Visiting Assistant Professor, Williams College
129. Ana Raquel Minian, Associate Professor, Stanford University
130. Nancy Raquel Mirabal, Associate Professor, University of Maryland, College Park
131. Nancy Raquel Mirabal, Associate Professor, University of Maryland, College Park
132. Anthony Mora, Associate Professor and Director, University of Michigan
133. Monica Muñoz Martinez, Associate Professor, University of Texas at Austin
134. Laura K. Muñoz, Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
135. Erin Murrah-Mandril, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Arlington
136. Anna Nogar, Associate Professor, University of New Mexico
137. Chon Noriega, Distinguished Professor, UCLA
138. Mark Ocegueda, Assistant Professor, Brown University
139. Amy A. Oliver, Associate Professor, American University
140. Jessica Ordaz, Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Boulder
141. Lorena Oropeza, Professor, UC Davis
142. Cynthia Orozco, Professor, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso
143. Mark Overmyer-Velazquez, Professor and University Campus Director, University of Connecticut-Hartford
144. Christian Paiz, Assistant Professor, UC Berkeley
145. Jimmy Patiño, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota
146. Monica Perales, Associate Professor, University of Houston
147. Emma Perez, Professor/Research Social Scientist, University of Arizona
148. Bernadette Perez, Assistant Professor, UC Berkeley
149. Carolyn Pinedo-Turnovsky, Associate Professor, University of Washington
150. Patricia Portales, Professor, San Antonio College
151. Gerald Poyo, Professor, St. Mary’s University – San Antonio
152. Estevan Rael-Gálvez, Ph.D., Independent Scholar, Creative Strategies 360°
153. Marla Ramírez, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
154. Raúl A. Ramos, Associate Professor, University of Houston
155. Dr. Lisa Y. Ramos, Associate Professor, Alamo Colleges: San Antonio College
156. Ana Ramos-Zayas, Professor, Yale University
157. Raymond W. Rast, Associate Professor, Gonzaga University
158. Pedro A. Regalado, Junior Fellow, Harvard University
159. Joaquin Rivaya-Martinez, Associate Professor, Texas State University
160. Petra Rivera-Rideau, Assistant Professor, Wellesley College
161. Alberto Rodriguez, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
162. Iliana Yamileth Rodriguez, Postdoctoral Fellow, Emory University
163. Ana Patricia Rodríguez, Associate Professor, University of Maryland, College Park
164. Ileana M. Rodríguez-Silva, Associate Professor, University of Washington
165. Dr. Samantha Rodriguez, Professor, Houston Community College
166. Anadelia Romo, Associate Professor, Texas State University
167. Oliver A. Rosales, Professor, Bakersfield College
168. Dr. Steven Rosales, Associate Professor, University of Arkansas
169. Lilia Raquel Rosas, Lecturer, University of Texas at Austin
170. Karen Roybal, Assistant Professor, Colorado College
171. Vicki L. Ruiz, Distinguished Professor Emerita, University of California, Irvine
172. Jason Ruiz, Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame
173. Elsa Ruiz, Lecturer, University of Texas at San Antonio
174. Lilliana Saldaña, Associate Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio
175. María Josefina Saldaña-Portillo, Professor, New York University
176. Cristina Salinas, Associate Professor, University of Texas at Arlington
177. George J. Sanchez, Professor, University of Southern California
178. Edgar Sandoval, Predoctoral Bolin Fellow, Williams College
179. A. K. Sandoval-Strausz, Associate Professor, Penn State University
180. Aldo Lauria Santiago, Professor, Rutgers University
181. John Phillip Santos, University Distinguished Scholar, University of Texas at San Antonio
182. Alicia Schmidt Camacho, Professor, Yale University
183. Gretchen Selcke, Director, Vanderbilt University
“José Luis Serrano Nájera, Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico
Kristie Soares, Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Boulder”
186. Priscilla Solis Ybarra, Associate Professor, University of North Texas
187. Rachel St. John, Associate Professor, UC Davis
188. Alexandra Minna Stern, Professor, University of Michigan
189. Camille Suárez, Assistant Professor, California State University Los Angeles
190. Tomás F. Summers Sandoval Jr., Professor, Pomona College
191. Lorrin Thomas, Associate Professor, Rutgers University – Camden
192. Eliseo Torres, Professor, University of New Mexico
193. Michelle Tovar, Associate Director of Education – Latino Initiatives, Holocaust Museum Houston
194. Michael L. Trujillo, Associate Chair, University of New Mexico
195. Luis Urrieta, Professor, University of Texas at Austin
196. Francisco Uviña-Contreras, Senior Lecturer, University of New Mexico
197. Robert O. Valdez, RWJF Professor, University of New Mexico
198. Louie Dean Valencia, Assistant Professor, Texas State University
199. Angela Valenzuela, Professor, University of Texas at Austin
200. Omar Valerio-Jiménez, Associate Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio
201. Elena Valdez, Reference Librarian, Santa Fe Public Library
202. Irene Vasquez, Professor and Chair, University of New Mexico
203. David Vazquez, Associate Professor, American University
204. Larisa Veloz, Professor, University of Texas, El Paso
205. Aimee Villarreal, Associate Professor, Our Lady of the Lake University
206. Sarah D. Wald, Associate Professor, University of Oregon
207. Julie M. Weise, Associate Professor, University of Oregon
208. Elliott Young, Professor, Lewis & Clark College
209. Emilio Zamora, Professor, University of Texas at Austin
210. Candace Zepeda, Professor, Our Lady of the Lake University
CC: Sen. Robert Menendez (NJ) CC: Sen. John Cornyn (TX)
On December 14th, 2020 the letter below was submitted to Congressional Leadership with over 140 influential signatories to encourage the passage of the National Museum of the American Latino Act. If you are interested in adding your name to this growing list, please sign-up here.
Dear Leader McConnell, Senator Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Representative McCarthy:
We write you today in response to the actions that took place on the Senate floor this past Thursday evening. On behalf of our organizations, our community, our families and future generations, that will one day be inspired by the countless stories exhibited in a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum, we urge you to work together to ensure that the National Museum of the American Latino Act (H.R.2420) is included in a year-end omnibus so that we can finally begin the work of creating a home for this long sought museum.
We are incredibly disappointed by Senator Mike Lee’s decision to block a bill that has such strong bipartisan support. As you know, our bill passed the House of Representatives by unanimous consent with more than 290 bipartisan cosponsors this summer; and has support from 46 cosponsors from both parties in the Senate. Additionally, on December 3, the Senate Rules Committee voted unanimously to advance the bill after holding a hearing on the initiative on November 17.
This bill has enjoyed strong bipartisan and bicameral support for years, led by Senators Bob Menendez and John Cornyn, and Representatives Jose Serrano, Tony Cardenas and Will Hurd. We are inspired by the energy and unity that this legislation has brought and are confident that all of those that have come together to drive this campaign forward would not want us, or Congress, to give up now. Since 1994, the Latinx community has been working and waiting to have its story told on the National Mall, and we must not wait longer if we can address this now. Throughout history, our community has fought, served and contributed to the founding, defending, growth and strength of the nation. It has endured, fortified, and overcome countless obstacles. Latinos have made our country what it is today and we urge you, our Congressional leaders, to commit to approving this bill before the end of this legislative session and make this museum a reality.
We thank you in advance for your leadership and we stand ready to support this historic endeavor from the bill’s ultimate authorization to the work required to open those doors on America’s front lawn.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to any one of us if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Raul “Danny” Vargas
Board Chair
Friends of the American Latino Museum
Estuardo V. Rodriguez
President & CEO
Friends of the American Latino Museum
FRIENDS Board
National Partners
Regional Leadership Network and Supporters
cc: Sen. John Cornyn (TX)
Sen. Robert Menendez (NJ)
Senate Rules Committee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Senate Rules Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
House Administration Committee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
House Administration Committee Ranking Member Rodney Davis (R-IL)
Washington, DC — Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) opposed the movement to approve the National Museum of the American Latino Act (H.R. 2420) by unanimous consent. The legislation would create the long-overdue museum on the National Mall.
The Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS), the only organization dedicated to advocating for a National Latino Museum, issued the following statement:
“We are incredibly disappointed with Senator Mike Lee’s insultingly dismissive, condescending and misguided decision to block our bill to establish a National Museum of the American Latino to commemorate and celebrate over 500 years of American Latino history and contributions to the American story. Our bill passed the House of Representatives by unanimous consent with more than 290 bipartisan cosponsors this summer; and has support from 46 cosponsors from both parties in the Senate, as well.
Latinos across the nation have waited far too long to be represented on the National Mall, and it is disgustingly cruel to make them wait even longer. Latinos, throughout history, have endured, fortified, and overcome countless obstacles. We will continue to do so and will fight to ensure our stories, a critical component of the American story, are told for generations within the halls of our nation’s top institutions. Latinos have made our country what it is today and Senator Lee’s opposition to our bipartisan bill to establish a place of reflection on the history, culture, and contributions of Latinos nationwide is incredibly disheartening, but we stand ready to continue our efforts for this important missing piece of the fabric of our nation.”
Washington, DC — Today, the Senate Rules Committee unanimously voted to approve and advance the National Museum of the American Latino Act, a bill to establish a museum on the National Mall dedicated to honoring the contributions of Latinos throughout American history, out of committee. With broad bipartisan support, the Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS) now urges Senate leadership to bring the legislation to a final vote and send on to the President’s desk.
“We applaud and appreciate the unanimous support of the Senate Rules Committee to advance the bill and open the door for final passage by the full Senate,” said Danny Vargas, Chairman of the FRIENDS board. “It is a testament to the broad bipartisan nature of this legacy initiative that will illuminate the American story for the benefit of everyone. As we see the finish line within reach of this decades-long process, we are hopeful that we will soon celebrate this bill becoming law so we can begin building a world-class institution we can all be proud of.”
“Today’s action by the Senate Rules Committee is the last procedural hurdle before the full Senate is able to take up and, finally, pass the National American Latino Museum Act,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, President & CEO of FRIENDS. “This historically bipartisan initiative has overwhelming support grounded in the commitment to tell the full American story, one that serves to bring our nation together united in the contributions, talent and sacrifice that has made our nation great. We look forward to the full Senate’s passage of the National American Latino Museum Act in the coming days.”
As acknowledged by the Smithsonian Institution in a 1994 report, Willful Neglect, exhibits and collections of U.S. Latino history are the most underrepresented across all of its museums. In 2011, a presidentially-appointed commission to study the potential creation of a National Museum of the American Latino submitted its report to explore the feasibility of a museum as was recommended in Willful Neglect. The National Museum of the American Latino Act fulfills the report’s recommendations to move forward with the creation of a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum, and takes an important step towards righting the ongoing disparities in our nation’s museums that remain today.
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the Senate Rules Committee held a hearing on the National Museum of the American Latino Act (S. 1267), which would establish a museum in the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to the preservation and celebration of over 500 years of American Latino history. The bill has bi-partisan support from 45 cosponsors, and companion legislation passed the House of Representatives in July by unanimous consent. The Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS), the only national advocacy campaign striving for the creation of a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum, urges the Senate to now take up and pass this legislation. The full hearing can be viewed here.
“As a patriot, I want our country to reach its fullest potential. But to get there, we need to know where we came from,” said Danny Vargas, chairman of the FRIENDS board and a witness during the hearing. “Our mission is to create a museum that illuminates the American story for the benefit of everyone, for a more complete telling of our nation’s history. After passing the House by unanimous consent in July, it is clear that this is far from a partisan issue, and speaks to the heart of what it means to be an American. We urge the Senate to similarly take up and pass the National Museum of the American Latino Act, so that we can begin to fill in the missing pieces of our country’s story.”
“We find it vital that we proudly share our community’s incredible stories, and celebrate a more complete telling of American history,” said Cici Rojas, a member of the FRIENDS board and a witness during the hearing. “The most important message is that the Latino story is the American story. As a nation, we must honor the promise of what our country was built on and what it stands for, and that includes the American Latino community’s contributions.”
“It has been 15 years since a coalition of Latino and Latina advocates gathered to champion the creation of a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum and 26 years since the Smithsonian’s Willful Neglect recommendation that the museum be built,” stated FRIENDS President and CEO Estuardo Rodriguez. “As the nation comes out of one of the most divisive political elections in our history, the creation of this museum becomes even more important as it can serve to educate, inform and bring our nation together centered on our shared experiences, sacrifices and commitment to this great nation. We ask that the Senate not miss this opportunity and act to pass the National American Latino Museum Act before the end of this year.”
Latino stories are drastically underrepresented in the Smithsonian’s collections—as acknowledged by the Smithsonian Institution itself in its 1994 Willful Neglect report. This legislation, led in the Senate by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), acts on the report’s recommendations to move forward in the creation of a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum.
Washington, D.C. – Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced this week that on November 17, the Senate Rules Committee will hold a hearing on the National Museum of the American Latino Act (S. 1267), which would establish a museum in the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to the preservation and celebration of over 500 years of American Latino history. The bill has bi-partisan support from 45 cosponsors, and companion legislation passed the House of Representatives in July by unanimous consent. The Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS), the only national advocacy campaign striving for the creation of a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum, urges the Senate to take up and pass this legislation.
“In an unprecedented year of challenges and crisis, we have been moved by the bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for a full accounting of our American history that would include over 500 years of patriotic service, business leadership, and scientific and artistic contributions of the Latino community,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, FRIENDS President and CEO. “We are grateful to Senator Cornyn and Chairman Blunt for prioritizing this bill before the Rules Committee, and we look forward to having the full Senate similarly move the National American Latino Museum Act across the finish line by unanimous consent. Embracing and sharing our nation’s history only serves to inspire and bring us closer together.”
“Latinos have been contributing to the fabric of America from its earliest days; helping to build, shape and defend this great nation from the very beginning—and yet we still don’t see those indispensable stories celebrated and on full display on the National Mall,” said Danny Vargas, chairman of the FRIENDS board. “The broad bi-partisan support for this bill demonstrates just how important this museum is to filling the gaps in our history. This is a red, white and blue, patriotic initiative that will enable every American to benefit from a more complete, accurate and enlightening understanding of the foundational and fundamental role Latinos have played in making the USA what it is today. After passing the House by unanimous consent in July, we urge the Senate to similarly take up and pass the National Museum of the American Latino Act so it can be signed into law and so we can begin to fill in the missing pages in our history books.”
Latino stories are drastically underrepresented in the Smithsonian’s collections—acknowledged by the institution itself in its 1994 Willful Neglect report demonstrating a lack of Latino voices and history so severe, it seemed intentional. This legislation, led in the Senate by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), acts on the report’s recommendations to move forward in the creation of a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum, a process that follows closely in the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s footsteps. The bill takes an important step towards righting the ongoing disparities in our nation’s museums that remain today.
(Washington, D.C.) – Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS), a national advocacy campaign striving for the creation of a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum proudly announced today that it is entering into a partnership agreement with GoLike, a production and storytelling company co-led by award-winningjournalist and author, Mariana Atencio. With partner, and longtime producer, Mirna Couto, GoLike is dedicated to using multimedia platforms to bring audiences together through positivity. The partnership was announced at a critical time for the American Latino Museum initiative, as it is currently experiencing the largest number of bipartisan and bicameral supporters for the authorization legislation, the National Museum of the American Latino Act.
The partnership will tap into and continue the FRIENDS Latinos Making a Difference (LMD) campaign, a digital initiative to highlight everyday people and leaders in the Latino community who are taking action to help their communities and the nation in the face of the global pandemic.
“We are honored to partner with these incredible Latina journalists and storytellers to expand our narrative and honor the crucial impact of American Latinos today and throughout our nation’s history,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, President and CEO of FRIENDS. “Latinos are among the hardest hit by COVID-19, experiencing higher health and economic disparities than the overall U.S. population. Yet, despite these challenges, members of our community continue to show up and do their part to keep the nation moving forward. We owe it to them and future generations to honor their resilience by recording and sharing the stories that will one day live in a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum.”
“From day one, GoLike has been committed to bringing people together through stories,” said Mariana Atencio, co-founder of GoLike. “We aim to show the vibrancy, strength, and diversity of the Latino community in the United States, and look forward to this partnership to shine a light on the stories too often overlooked. In these challenging times, ordinary people are doing extraordinary things, and we are excited to tell their stories.”
“The power of positive storytelling crosses cultures, geographies, and backgrounds to unite us all, despite our differences,” said Mirna Couto, co-founder of GoLike. “GoLike and the Friends of the American Latino Museum understand just how important telling our community’s stories can be, and we are looking forward to what we create together.”
On July 27, 2020, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the National Museum of the American Latino Act with over 290 bipartisan cosponsors. With 43 bipartisan cosponsors in the Senate, the push for a museum to recognize over 500 years of American Latino history that has been left out of the Smithsonian Institution is closer to becoming a reality than ever before.
Today, Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS) announced a victory in its quarter century-long campaign to establish a museum of American Latino history. The House of Representatives approved the National Museum of the American Latino Act (H.R. 2420), legislation to establish the long-overdue museum on the National Mall dedicated to commemorating the 500 plus years of American Latino contributions to the nation’s military, sciences, economic power, civil rights and the arts.
The bill passed with 295 bipartisan co-sponsors, championed by Representatives José Serrano (D-NY), Will Hurd (R-TX), and Tony Cardenas (D-CA). The bicameral legislation has 29 bipartisan co-sponsors in the Senate, and FRIENDS calls on the Senate to support the passage of S.1267, the accompanying Senate bill for a National Museum of the American Latino.
The concept of a National American Latino Museum was originally proposed in a 1994 Smithsonian report entitled “Willful Neglect”. Since that time only one bill has passed in 2008 that established the creation of a commission to study the viability of such a museum. The latest legislation, the National American Latino Museum Act, now takes the next step to authorize the creation of the museum.
“Latinos have been contributing to the building, shaping and defending of our nation since before its founding, but these indispensable stories of American history have largely been absent from our magnificent museums on the national mall,” said Danny Vargas, Chairman of the FRIENDS board. “More than ever, every American would benefit from a more complete picture of the history of our great country and all the communities who sacrificed to build her. Now we stand at the precipice of enshrining an enduring institution that will fill the missing pages from our history books and inspire countless future generations to come.”
“With support from Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), we call on senators from both sides of the aisle to join us in making history,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, President & CEO of FRIENDS. “Today, we have the highest number of bipartisan co-sponsors since our efforts began in 1994, with 295 in the House and 29 in the Senate. We are grateful to all the partners and allies who helped bring us a step closer to making the American Latino museum a reality, and now seek the leadership of the Senate to get us over the finish line. With growing support from Members of Congress and the American public, the time to act is now.”
“Today’s vote is a monumental step forward for our campaign and community,” said former congresswoman and FRIENDS board member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. “I was proud to introduce the original legislation for a museum as a member of Congress, and I am thrilled today to see my friends and colleagues in the House of Representatives bring that vision even closer to reality.”
“Today’s vote marks an important moment of progress in recognition of Latino contributions to the history, heritage, and culture of the United States,” said Henry R. Munoz III, Chairman of the bipartisan congressional commission to establish a National Museum of the American Latino. “As we wrote in our report to congress nearly 10 years ago, the Mall, more than any other public space in our country does indeed tell the story of America, and yet that story is not complete. Today we take a step forward as we send this bill to the United States Senate to illuminate the American story for all at a moment when cultural understanding is more important than ever to our country. We look forward to working with the Senate and the administration to add to the Smithsonian’s mission for the increase and diffusion of knowledge for everyone.”
As acknowledged by the Smithsonian Institution in a 1994 report, Willful Neglect, Latinos are the most underrepresented ethnic group across all of its museums. The National Museum of the American Latino Act will take an important step towards righting the disparities outlined in the report and establish a museum dedicated to representing the history of American Latinos.
(Washington, D.C.) – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced this week that on Monday, July 27, the House of Representatives will advance the National Museum of the American Latino Act (H.R. 2420), which would establish a museum in the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to the preservation and celebration of over 500 years of American Latino history. With 295 bipartisan Members of Congress already in support, the Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS), the only national advocacy campaign striving for the creation of a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum, urges the full House to support the passage of this legislation.
“For over 500 years, the Latino community has been instrumental in the building, shaping and defending of our great nation,” said Danny Vargas, Chairman of the FRIENDS board. “The time has come to commemorate those contributions in a national museum that will illuminate the American story for the benefit of everyone and serve to inspire future generations.”
“This legislation takes an important step towards righting the ongoing disparities in our nation’s museums that remain today,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, President & CEO of FRIENDS. “The widespread support demonstrates just how important this museum is in filling the gaps in our history. We thank our allies and partners in the House, Representatives José Serrano (D-NY), Will Hurd (R-TX),and Tony Cardenas (D-CA) for their leadership in championing this legislation, and bringing us to historic milestones in our mission to see the contributions from generations of American Latinos recognized in the Smithsonian Institution.”
As acknowledged by the Smithsonian Institution in a 1994 report, Willful Neglect, exhibits and collections of U.S. Latino history are the most underrepresented across all of its museums. The National Museum of the American Latino Act would establish a museum dedicated to representing those stories and figures from American Latino history currently absent from the institution.
(Washington, D.C.) – Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS), a national advocacy campaign striving for the creation of a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum, announced three new members of the organization’s board of directors. Former Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, entrepreneur and community leader Jorge A. Plasencia, and global advocate Claudia Romo Edelman have joined the board to advise on development and public affairs during a pivotal year for the campaign.
“We are honored to have these three amazing leaders and advocates join us in our mission to honor the impact and influence of American Latinos throughout our nation’s history,” said Danny Vargas, Chairman of the FRIENDS board. “We look forward to tapping into their combined talent and leadership to get us over the finish line this year with approval of the National American Latino Museum Act.”
Representative Ros-Lehtinen is living proof of the impact of Latinos on American history as the first Latina elected to Congress. She served for almost three decades as a member of Congress representing diverse areas in South Florida, and during her tenure championed the push for a Latino Museum as the original Republican sponsor of the legislation to create a museum dating back to 2004.
“I am thrilled to continue to support this important initiative as a member of the FRIENDS board,” said Rep. Ros-Lehtinen. “From our work in Congress to move this legislation forward in 2004, to reaching milestones today, we are closer than ever to our goal of creating a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum to preserve and celebrate countless contributions of American Latinos for future generations.”
Jorge A. Plasencia has been named one of the world’s top marketing and communications leaders by PRWeek and one of the most influential U.S. Hispanics by Poder. He is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Republica Havas, one of America’s leading creative, media, and communications agencies, and formerly served as the corporate vice president and operating manager of Univision Radio and as board chair of Unidos US, the nation’s largest Hispanic advocacy organization.
“The time has come to bring the American Latino Museum in Washington, DC to fruition,” said Jorge A. Plasencia. “The historical, current, and future contributions of Hispanic Americans to the fabric of our nation will continue to run deep, and I am proud to join the board of the Friends of the American Latino Museum in its noble and important mission of making this longtime dream a reality,” he added.
Claudia Romo Edelman is the founder of the We Are All Human Foundation, a New York-based non-profit foundation dedicated to advancing an agenda of equity, inclusion and representation. A Mexican-Swiss diplomat, she has worked on humanitarian causes for 25 years with organizations such as UNICEF, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
“Stories from our community have been excluded for too long from our nation’s museums and history books,” said Claudia Romo-Edelman. “Every American, and future generations, deserves to see the contributions from centuries of Latino and Latina leaders to our great nation; these are Hispanic Stars. Most importantly, these stories and exhibits must receive the same level of exposure and visibility on our National Mall as part of the Smithsonian Institution of museums in Washington, D.C.”
“For more than a decade our campaign has advanced steadily through the tireless work and volunteer hours of leaders from the civil rights, business, arts and political sectors. We could not have gotten this far without their heart and commitment to this historic initiative,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, President and CEO of FRIENDS. “Our newest board members have demonstrated throughout their careers a passion for lifting up the American Latino experience and we are honored to have their time and commitment. I look forward to working with each of them.”
With over 295 bipartisan cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 27 in the Senate on bicameral legislation, the push for a museum to recognize over 500 years of American Latino history that has been left out of the Smithsonian Institution is closer to reality than ever before.