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/