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.
(Washington, D.C.) – In line with its mission of lifting up the untold and often overlooked stories of the American Latino community, Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS) has launched Latinos Making a Difference (LMD), a national digital campaign to highlight everyday people and prominent leaders in the Latino community who are taking action to help their communities and the nation in the face of the global pandemic.
“For over 500 years, Latinos have played an instrumental role in shaping and strengthening the United States; from serving in every war in our nation’s history to having a positive impact in every crisis we’ve ever faced. The same is true with the current global pandemic,” Danny Vargas, Chairman of Friends of the FRIENDS board. “Part of our mission has always been to tell the stories of Latino contributions throughout our history and today. We want to spotlight ordinary people doing extraordinary things, important leaders in key roles and uplift our nation in these challenging times.”
The Latinos Making a Difference campaign aims to shed light on the many Latinos in America taking action to help those impacted, from making masks and providing meals to essential workers to fundraising for a family in need and serving on the frontlines. Nominate yourself or someone you know to be featured by visiting https://americanlatinomuseum.org/LMD/.
“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, our community continues to work across essential industries, they show up and do their part to keep the nation moving forward,” stated Estuardo Rodriguez, president and CEO of FRIENDS. “We hope this campaign provides the well deserved recognition that many of these innovative and committed individuals deserve.”