[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3292 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3292
To establish the Commission to Establish a National Museum of the
American Latino to develop a plan of action for the establishment and
maintenance of the National Museum of the American Latino in
Washington, D.C., and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 15, 2003
Mr. Becerra (for himself, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Lincoln
Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Ortiz, Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida,
Mr. Acevedo-Vila, Mr. Baca, Mr. Cardoza, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr.
Grijalva, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Honda, Mr. Larson of
Connecticut, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Matsui, Mr. Menendez, Mrs.
Napolitano, Mr. Pastor, Mr. Reyes, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Ms. Linda T.
Sanchez of California, Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California, Mr. Serrano,
Ms. Solis, Ms. Velazquez, and Mr. Wu) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to
the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Commission to Establish a National Museum of the
American Latino to develop a plan of action for the establishment and
maintenance of the National Museum of the American Latino in
Washington, D.C., and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Commission to Establish the National
Museum of the American Latino Act of 2003''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds as follows:
(1) American Latinos are an ethnically and racially diverse
population. Still, whether known by the term ``Hispanic'' or
``Latino,'' or by the various national identities from which
they obtain their ethnicity, American Latinos share a common
heritage rooted in the mixture of the cultures of the
indigenous peoples of the American continent, of the European
colonizers from Spain, and of Africans who were brought to
those colonies as slaves.
(2) While the history of the United States formally dates
from 1776, American civilization was already centuries old by
then. Latinos were present on the continent for more than 200
years prior to the Declaration of Independence. Spanish
colonists founded the first permanent settlement on future
United States territory in St. Augustine, Florida in 1565.
Indigenous nations that had thrived for centuries prior to the
landing of Columbus would later mix with colonists of various
ethnicities from Spain to create a third culture, one that
continues to thrive in various forms throughout the Americas
today.
(3) Since before our Nation's founding, Latinos have come
to this land searching for opportunity, prosperity, and chance.
In this regard, not much has changed in over 3 centuries.
Through every era of our Nation's history, whether in the
fields of plenty or on the field of battle, a Latino presence
was felt. Since before the early colonization of the west,
Latinos have labored under the harsh sun to put food on
America's tables. From the earliest days of American industry,
Latinos have worked in our factories. Through every war and
conflict, Latinos have served honorably and proudly next to
their fellow Americans to defend the ideals of freedom,
democracy, and liberty worldwide, earning countless awards for
valor and sacrifice.
(4) The history, art, politics, economy, and culture of the
United States have been enriched since the Nation's founding by
the influence of American Latinos and their traditions and
innovations. Both native and foreign-born Latinos in the United
States continue to make significant contributions to the arts
and humanities, academia, and the popular culture that have
benefited all Americans.
(5) According to the Bureau of the Census, the population
of American Latinos recently grew to become the largest
demographic minority group in the country. As of July 2002,
there were an estimated 38.8 million Latinos in the United
States. One out of every three of these is under the age of 18,
and four out of every 10 is under the age of 25. The
youthfulness and rapid growth of this population ensure that
American Latinos will have a substantial role in American life
ranging from public policy to popular entertainment. Greater
understanding of this role will benefit all of American
society.
(6) The American Latino population historically has been
concentrated in certain regions of the United States. In the
last several decades, however, there has been more dispersed
growth of the community throughout the entire country. In the
southern states other than Texas, most have seen the population
of Latinos, primarily immigrants, double between the years 1990
and 2000, adding to the mixture of cultures already there as
these individuals adapt to Southern life.
(7) Despite the history and demography as well as the
ongoing contributions that American Latinos make to the
cultural life of the United States, there remains a great gap
in the level and quality of awareness that other Americans
possess about the rich and diverse character of Latino culture
and history. Sometimes the lack of awareness manifests itself
in the development of stereotypes or misconceptions about
Latinos. Greater effort is needed at a national level to
educate other Americans about Latinos, and to celebrate and
disseminate information about Latino arts and history.
Americans of all backgrounds benefit from greater understanding
of the diversity that exists in the United States.
(8) The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest
museum and research complex, with 16 museums in the District of
Columbia and New York City. The Smithsonian Institution
museums, especially those on the National Mall, play a unique
and important role in educating visitors to the Nation's
capital about our history, arts, and culture. The American
people and international visitors recognize the Smithsonian
Institution as the premier American museum, representing the
vast diversity of cultural history of the United States.
(9) After extensive dialogue, conferences, and
collaboration among educators, scholars, and community leaders,
as well as museums, universities, cultural, and public
institutions, a task force appointed to examine the Smithsonian
Institution's representation of American Latinos in its
permanent exhibits and other public programs published
``Willful Neglect: The Smithsonian Institution and U.S.
Latinos'' (May 1994) and ``Toward a Shared Vision: U.S. Latinos
and the Smithsonian Institution'' (October 1997). The reports
indicate that the Smithsonian historically had a poor record of
representing Latinos. This criticism led to the creation of the
Smithsonian's Center for Latino Initiatives in 1998.
(10) The Center for Latino Initiatives has increased the
profile of Latino arts and culture and should be commended for
promoting diversity and understanding of American Latino
culture by the Smithsonian's patrons. The Center's short
history has shown that American Latino exhibits and programs
are well received by the public and by the Latino community,
which benefits from having some representation at the
Smithsonian. Still, the level of representation at the
Smithsonian of the Latino community is far from where it should
be given American Latino history, demography, and contributions
to the American cultural landscape.
(11) For these reasons, it is necessary to establish a
commission to draft a plan of action for creating a National
Museum of the American Latino within the Smithsonian
Institution, on or near the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--There is established the Commission to Establish
the National Museum of the American Latino (hereafter in this Act
referred to as the ``Commission'').
(b) Membership.--The Commission shall consist of 23 members
appointed not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of
this Act as follows:
(1) The President shall appoint 7 voting members.
(2) The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
minority leader of the House of Representatives, the Majority
Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the Senate
shall each appoint 3 voting members.
(3) In addition to the members appointed under paragraph
(2), the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority
leader of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of
the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the Senate shall each
appoint 1 nonvoting member.
(c) Qualifications.--Members of the Commission shall be chosen from
among individuals, or representatives of institutions or entities, who
possess either--
(1) a demonstrated commitment to the research, study, or
promotion of American Latino life, art, history, political or
economic status, or culture, together with--
(A) expertise in museum administration;
(B) expertise in fundraising for nonprofit or
cultural institutions;
(C) experience in the study and teaching of Latino
culture and history at the post-secondary level;
(D) experience in studying the issue of the
Smithsonian Institution's representation of American
Latino art, life, history, and culture; or
(E) extensive experience in public or elected
service; or
(2) experience in the administration of, or the planning
for the establishment of, museums devoted to the study and
promotion of the role of ethnic, racial, or cultural groups in
American history.
SEC. 4. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Plan of Action for Establishment and Maintenance of Museum.--
The Commission shall submit a report to the President and the Congress
containing its recommendations with respect to a plan of action for the
establishment and maintenance of the National Museum of the American
Latino in Washington, D.C. (hereafter in this Act referred to as the
``Museum'').
(b) Fundraising Plan.--The Commission shall develop a fundraising
plan for supporting the creation and maintenance of the Museum through
contributions by the American people, and a separate plan on
fundraising by the American Latino community.
(c) Report on Issues.--The Commission shall examine (in
consultation with the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution), and
submit a report to the President and the Congress on, the following
issues:
(1) The availability and cost of collections to be acquired
and housed in the Museum.
(2) The impact of the Museum on regional Hispanic- and
Latino-related museums.
(3) Possible locations for the Museum on or adjacent to the
National Mall in Washington, D.C., to be considered in
consultation with the National Capital Planning Commission.
(4) Whether the Museum should be located within the
Smithsonian Institution.
(5) The governance and organizational structure from which
the museum should operate.
(6) How to engage the American Latino community in the
development and design of the Museum.
(d) Legislation to Carry Out Plan of Action.--Based on the
recommendations contained in the report submitted under subsection (a)
and the report submitted under subsection (c), the Commission shall
submit for consideration to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives, the Committee on
Resources of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate, and the Committees on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives and Senate a legislative plan of action to
create and construct the Museum.
(e) National Conference.--In carrying out its functions under this
section, the commission shall convene a national conference on the
Museum, comprised of individuals committed to the advancement of
American Latino life, art, history, and culture, not later than 9
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
(a) Facilities and Support of Secretary of Interior.--The Secretary
of the Interior shall provide the administrative services, facilities,
and funds necessary for the performance of the Commission's functions.
(b) Compensation.--Each member of the Commission who is not an
officer or employee of the Federal government may receive compensation
for each day on which the member is engaged in the work of the
Commission, at a daily rate to be determined by the Secretary of the
Interior.
(c) Travel Expenses.--Each member shall receive travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with
applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5,
United States Code.
SEC. 6. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF REPORTS; TERMINATION.
(a) Deadline.--The Commission shall submit final versions of the
reports and plans required under section 4 not later than 18 months
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate not later than 30
days after submitting the final versions of reports and plans pursuant
to subsection (a).
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated for carrying out the
activities of the Commission $2,100,000 for fiscal year 2005 and
$1,100,000 for fiscal year 2006.
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