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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