[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 126 (Monday, September 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER FOR MINORITY MUSEUM, 
         ARCHIVES, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROFESSIONALS ACT

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                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 1994

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join with my colleague, 
Congressman David Hobson, in introducing the National Training Center 
for Minority Museum, Archives, and Historic Preservation Professionals 
Act, a measure to provide for training of professionals in Minority 
Museum, Archives, and Historic Preservation Studies, and to train 
minority professionals in these areas.
  In legislation enacted in 1976, Congress first recognized that there 
is a gross underrepresentation of minority museum and archives 
professionals. In 1978, Congress passed legislation establishing a 
national commission to develop plans for construction and operation of 
an African-American museum. The National Afro-American Museum and 
Cultural Center at Wilberforce, OH, opened to the public in April 1988. 
The museum has exceeded all expectations in the quality of exhibits, 
and number of visitors. This museum has one of the largest collections 
of African-American historical and cultural material in our Nation.
  It was the intent of Congress to establish a training center and 
educational program at the museum. In addition, Congress has more 
recently directed the National Park Service to undertake efforts to 
preserve and interpret the Underground Railroad and its significance, 
not only for African-Americans, but for all Americans. Wilberforce, OH 
played a major role in the Underground Railroad, and is ideally suited 
to assist the National Park Service in properly interpreting this 
important chapter in America's social and cultural history.
  Mr. Speaker, a scarcity of minority museum professionals, and people 
trained in minority museum and archives studies, has resulted in the 
failure to preserve important minority historical and cultural sites 
and artifacts. There is currently no institution of higher learning in 
our Nation which has a curriculum leading to a degree in Minority 
Museum, Archives, and Historic Preservation Studies. By means of a 
contract with a consortium of institutions of higher education, a 
program of study leading to a graduate degree in Minority Museum, 
Archives, and Historic Preservation Studies will be implemented at the 
training center.
  The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center now seeks 
support from Congress for establishment of the training center. 
Congress intended that there be a Federal-State partnership to fund the 
museum, yet thus far, the State of Ohio has assumed almost exclusive 
financial responsibility for the museum. The State of Ohio assumed this 
responsibility with the understanding, based on the original 
legislation, that Congress would provide financial support.
  If the intent of the original legislation is to be carried out, the 
training center must be constructed. The State of Ohio has gone as far 
as it can without Federal financial support. Completion of the second 
phase of the project, the construction of the training center, is a 
prerequisite for implementation of the Museum, Archives, and Historic 
Preservation Studies Program.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to keep in mind the original intent 
of Congress not only to build a museum, but also to establish a 
training center with a Minority Museum, Archives, and Historic 
Preservation Studies Program. The Museum at Wilberforce is already a 
national treasure. With the establishment of the Museum, Archives, and 
Historic Preservation Studies Program, a solid foundation will exist 
for the preservation and presentation of our Nation's African-American 
and other minority heritage. I urge all my colleagues to support this 
critical legislation.

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