[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12062-S12063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER ACT OF 1997
Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the
consideration of S. 1417 introduced earlier today by Senator Domenici.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 1417) to provide for the design, construction,
furnishing and equipping of a center for performing arts
within the complex known as the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural
Center.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate
consideration of the bill?
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, Hispanics of the Southwest and New
Mexico will be celebrating an important milestone next year. 1998 is
the 400th anniversary of permanent Hispanic presence in New Mexico. In
1598, Juan de Onate arrived in New Mexico and founded the second city
of the United States, San Gabriel de los Espanoles. This was the first
permanent Spanish settlement in New Mexico. From New Mexico, Juan de
Onate traveled across the desert to California where he founded San
Francisco in 1605.
On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of Spanish presence, New
Mexico will be beginning a new era of Spanish pride and cooperation
with other cultures. In New Mexico, we are very proud of our cultural
relations between the Indian, Spanish, and Anglo people. It is now time
to pay special tribute to the Spanish people of New Mexico, the
Southwest, and the United States.
In preparing for the 400th anniversary celebrations, the State of New
Mexico has invested over $17.7 million toward the establishment of
phase I of the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center. In addition, the
city of Albuquerque has donated 10.9 acres and a historic 22,000-
square-foot building. Twelve acres of ``bosque'' land near the Rio
Grande have also been donated by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy
District. Private contributions are also helping to meet the Hispanic
Cultural Center goals.
I am asking my colleagues to authorize funding to match these New
Mexico contributions. This authorization is to build the critical
Hispanic Performing Arts Center at an estimated cost of $17.8 million.
I believe the people of New Mexico have done an excellent job in
committing their own resources for an art gallery, museum, restaurant,
ballroom, amphitheater, research center, literary arts center, and
other supportive components.
To showcase the Hispanic culture for all Americans, the Hispanic
Performing Arts Center is a vital component. Phase II plans include a
700-seat theater, a stage house, a 300-seat film/video center, a 150-
seat black box theater, an art studio building, a culinary art
building, and a research and literary arts building. The estimated cost
of all phase II components is $26 million. By agreeing to authorize the
Hispanic Performing Arts Center, Congress will make a significant
contribution toward the phase II plan.
Not counting the land contributions, phase I and phase II design,
construction, equipping, and furnishing is estimated to cost slightly
more than $40 million. Major infrastructure components are included in
both phases. These include an aqueduct, acequia, and pond from the
Barelas Drain; parking; a plaza and courtyard, and landscaping.
Phase I is now near the bidding stage. The Hispanic Performing Arts
and Film Arts--the three theaters--are estimated to cost $17.8 million,
with necessary equipment--construction: $15.9 million; fixed equipment:
$1.9 million. The remaining components of phase II are estimated to
cost $8 million.
This multifaceted Hispanic Cultural Center is designed to showcase,
share, archive, preserve, and enhance the rich Hispanic culture for
local, regional, and national audiences. It is designed to be a tourist
attraction as well as a great source of local pride.
The Hispanic Cultural Center will be the southernmost facility on a
cultural corridor that includes the Rio Grande Nature Center, the
Albuquerque Aquarium, Botanical Gardens, and the Rio Grande Zoo.
Historic Old Town Albuquerque is at the center of this cultural
corridor.
Antoine Predock of Albuquerque and Pedro Marquez of Santa Fe were the
original design architects. Mr. Predock is an internationally
recognized architect and his design will enhance the attractiveness of
the center. To promote the Spanish and Southwestern themes, they have
emphasized the inclusion of New Mexico architectural features such as
adobe construction--like the existing historic building used as the
administrative center--courtyards, portals, cottonwoods for shading,
and the irrigation ditches known in New Mexico as ``acequias''. The
site is at the corner of Fourth Street and Bridge Boulevard in
Southwest Albuquerque.
Once built, the Hispanic Cultural Center will employ over 100 people.
Tourism dollars are expected to increase in this part of Albuquerque,
and new ancillary businesses are anticipated to complement and enhance
the attractions in the historic Barelas Neighborhood of Albuquerque.
The many forms of art, culture, research, performing arts, culinary
arts, literature, and other activities are expected to add important
cultural connections to the roots of the local and state Hispanic
people. Completion of the Hispanic Performing Arts Center will be the
major facility needed to showcase live and filmed Spanish cultural
events. A whole new industry of preserving, showcasing, and enhancing
pride in Spanish cultural roots is a vital anticipated benefit of this
New Mexico-based Hispanic institution.
Visitors are expected from California, New York, Florida, Texas,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, and other States with large Hispanic populations.
The New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center and its active Hispanic
Performing Arts Center are expected to become nationally known
treasures of living Hispanic culture in America.
I believe that authorizing Federal funding for the Hispanic
Performing Arts Center will be a significant step toward this budding
national treasure in its critical formative stages. I urge my
colleagues to support the funding for the Hispanic Performing Arts
Center in Albuquerque, NM, in honor of the 400th anniversary of Spanish
culture, and in hopes of seeing the preservation and enhancement of
this culture flourish into its 500th year.
Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent the bill be deemed read the third
time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and
any statements relating to the bill appear at this point in the Record
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (S. 1417) was read the third time and passed, as follows:
S. 1417
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1.
(a) Short Title.--This act may be cited as the Hispanic
Cultural Center Act of 1997.
SEC. 2. CONSTRUCTION OF A CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States has an enriched legacy of Hispanic
influence in politics, government, economic development, and
cultural expression.
(2) The Hispanic culture in what is now the United States
can be traced to 1528 when a Spanish expedition from Cuba to
Florida was shipwrecked on the Texas coast.
(3) The Hispanic culture in New Mexico can be traced to
1539 when a Spanish Franciscan Friar, Marcos de Niza, and his
guide, Estevanico, traveled into present day New Mexico in
search of the fabled city of Cibola and made contact with the
people of Zuni.
(4) The Hispanic influence in New Mexico is particularly
dominant and a part of daily living for all the citizens of
New Mexico, who are a diverse composite of racial, ethnic,
and cultural peoples. Don Juan de Onate and the first New
Mexican families established the first capital in the United
States, San Juan de los Caballeros, in July of 1598.
(5) Based on the 1990 census, there are approximately
650,000 Hispanics in New Mexico, the majority having roots
reaching back ten or more generations.
(6) There are an additional 200,000 Hispanics living
outside of New Mexico with roots in New Mexico.
[[Page S12063]]
(7) The New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center is a living
tribute to the Hispanic experience and will provide all
citizens of New Mexico, the Southwestern United States, the
entire United States, and around the world, an opportunity to
learn about, partake in, and enjoy the unique Hispanic
culture, and the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center will
assure that this 400-year old culture is preserved.
(8) The New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center will teach,
showcase, and share all facets of Hispanic culture, including
literature, performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts, and
language arts.
(9) The New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center will promote a
better cross-cultural understanding of the Hispanic culture
and the contributions of individuals to the society in which
we all live.
(10) In 1993, the legislature and Governor of New Mexico
created the Hispanic Cultural Division as a division within
the Office of Cultural Affairs. One of the principal
responsibilities of the Hispanic Cultural Division is to
oversee the planning, construction, and operation of the New
Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center.
(11) The mission of the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center
is to create a greater appreciation and understanding of
Hispanic culture.
(12) The New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center will serve as
a local, regional, national, and international site for the
study and advancement of Hispanic culture, expressing both
the rich history and the forward-looking aspirations of
Hispanics throughout the world.
(13) The New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center will be a
Hispanic arts and humanities showcase to display the works of
national and international artists, and to provide a venue
for educators, scholars, artists, children, elders, and the
general public.
(14) The New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center will provide a
venue for presenting the historic and contemporary
representations and achievements of the Hispanic culture.
(15) The New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center will sponsor
arts and humanities programs, including programs related to
visual arts of all forms (including drama, dance, and
traditional and contemporary music), research, literary arts,
genealogy, oral history, publications, and special events
such as, fiestas, culinary arts demonstrations, film video
productions, storytelling presentations and education
programs.
(16) Phase I of the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center
complex is scheduled to be completed by August of 1998 and is
planned to consist of an art gallery with exhibition space
and a museum, administrative offices, a restaurant, a
ballroom, a gift shop, an amphitheater, a research and
literary arts center, and other components.
(17) Phase II of the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center
complex is planned to include a performing arts center
(containing a 700-seat theater, a stage house, and a 300-seat
film/video theater), a 150-seat black box theater, an art
studio building, a culinary arts building, and a research and
literary arts building.
(18) It is appropriate for the Federal Government to share
in the cost of constructing the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural
Center because Congress recognizes that the New Mexico
Hispanic Cultural Center has the potential to be a premier
facility for performing arts and a national repository for
Hispanic arts and culture.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Center.--The term `Center' means the Center for
Performing Arts, within the complex known as the New Mexico
Hispanic Cultural Center, which Center for the Performing
Arts is a central facility in Phase II of the New Mexico
Hispanic Cultural Center complex.
(2) Hispanic cultural division.--The term `Hispanic
Cultural Division' means the Hispanic Cultural Division of
the Office of Cultural Affairs of the State of New Mexico.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(c) Construction of Center.--The Secretary shall award a
grant to New Mexico to pay for the Federal share of the costs
of the design, construction, furnishing, and equipping of the
Center for Performing Arts that will be located at a site to
be determined by the Hispanic Cultural Division, within the
complex known as the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center.
(d) Grant Requirements.--
(1) In general.--In order to receive a grant awarded under
subsection (c), New Mexico, acting through the Director of
the Hispanic Cultural Division--
(A) shall submit to the Secretary, within 30 days of the
date of enactment of this section, a copy of the New Mexico
Hispanic Cultural Center Program document dated January 1996;
and
(B) shall exercise due diligence to expeditiously execute,
in a period not to exceed 90 days after the date of enactment
of this section, the memorandum of understanding under
paragraph (2) recognizing that time is of the essence for the
construction of the Center because 1998 marks the 400th
anniversary of the first permanent Spanish settlement in New
Mexico.
(2) Memorandum of understanding.--The memorandum of
understanding described in paragraph (1) shall provide--
(A) the date of completion of the construction of the
Center;
(B) that Antoine Predock, an internationally recognized
architect, shall be the supervising architect for the
construction of the Center; or any other architect
subsequently named by the state.
(C) that the Director of the Hispanic Cultural Division
shall award the contract for architectural engineering and
design services in accordance with the New Mexico Procurement
Code; and
(D) that the contract for the construction of the Center--
(i) shall be awarded pursuant to a competitive bidding
process; and
(ii) shall be awarded not later than 3 months after the
solicitation for bids for the construction of the Center.
(3) Federal share.--The Federal share of the costs
described in subsection (c) shall be 50 percent.
(4) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the costs
described in subsection (c) shall be in cash or in kind
fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment, or services.
The non-Federal share shall include any contribution received
by New Mexico for the design, construction, furnishing, or
equipping of Phase I or Phase II of the New Mexico Hispanic
Cultural Center complex prior to the date of enactment of
this section. The non-Federal share of the costs described in
subsection (c) shall include the following:
(A) $16,410,000 that was appropriated by the New Mexico
legislature since January 1, 1993, for the planning, property
acquisition, design, construction, furnishing, and equipping
of the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center complex.
(B) $116,000 that was appropriated by the New Mexico
legislature for fiscal year 1995 for the startup and
operating expenses of the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural
Center.
(C) $226,000 that was appropriated by the New Mexico
legislature for fiscal year 1996 for the startup and
operating expenses of the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural
Center.
(D) $442,000 that was appropriated by the New Mexico
legislature for fiscal year 1997 for the startup and
operating expenses of the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural
Center.
(E) $551,000 that was appropriated by the New Mexico
legislature for fiscal year 1998 for the startup and
operating expenses of the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural
Center.
(F) A 10.9-acre lot with a historic 22,000 square foot
building donated by the Mayor and City Council of
Albuquerque, New Mexico, to New Mexico for the New Mexico
Hispanic Cultural Center.
(G) 12 acres of ``Bosque'' land adjacent to the New Mexico
Hispanic Cultural Center complex for use by the New Mexico
Hispanic Cultural Center.
(H) The $30,000 donation by the Sandia National
Laboratories and Lockheed Martin Corporation to support the
New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center and the program
activities of the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center.
(e) Use of Funds for Design, Construction, Furnishing, and
Equipment.--The funds received under a grant awarded under
subsection (c) shall be used only for the design,
construction, management, inspection, furnishing, and
equipment of the Center.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section
a total of $17,800,000 for fiscal year 1998 and succeeding
fiscal years. Funds appropriated pursuant to the authority of
the preceding sentence shall remain available until expended.
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