[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1209-S1210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DOMENICI:
  S. 1964. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to make a 
grant to the Hubbard Museum of the American West in Lincoln County, New 
Mexico; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce this bill 
which authorizes the expansion of the Hubbard Museum of the American 
West in Lincoln County, NM. Specifically, this bill would allow the 
Secretary of Interior to make a grant of up to $4.5 million dollars to 
cover the Federal share of the museum's expansion.
  The Hubbard Museum of the American West has been serving the public 
since 1993. Opened that year under the name of The Museum of the Horse, 
the museum welcomed 25,000 visitors in its first full year of 
operations. Current annual attendance is 130,000 visitors at three 
locations and one special event within Lincoln County.
  As attendance and programs have grown, the museum no longer has the 
space or facilities to meet the needs of expanded exhibitions and 
programs. In addition, the Hubbard museum's recent affiliation with the 
Smithsonian Institute allows the museum to receive artifacts and other 
collections from the Smithsonian that can be exhibited for the benefit 
of the public. The Hubbard museum cannot fully serve the visitors or 
expand its exhibitions and programs without additional space.
  The Hubbard Museum of the American West seeks to dramatically expand 
its facility in order to increase tourism and job development in 
Lincoln County, NM. This expansion will allow the museum to fully take 
advantage of its affiliate status with the Smithsonian, address 
additional needs for collection storage and collection preservation, 
through climate control, and will provide permanent jobs for an 
economically challenged region. Early estimates indicate that the 
project will bring 25 short-term construction jobs and 15 full time 
museum jobs to Lincoln County. In addition, the expanded tourist 
attraction will allow an estimated 100 additional jobs to be created 
throughout the community.
  Lincoln County is consistently ranked in the bottom third for income 
levels in New Mexico, a State that is ranked at the bottom of most 
income level charts. The citizens of Lincoln and northern Otero 
counties include Native American, Hispanic Americans, and Anglo-
American ethnic groups. It is estimated that one third of the new 
museum employees will come from each of these ethnic groups. Of special 
concern is the hiring of a Native American who will act as a curator 
for the

[[Page S1210]]

extensive Native American artifacts that the museum owns and cares for. 
The museum also plans to add Hispanic staff members to its visitor 
services division as Spanish speaking visitors make up an estimated 20 
percent of the annual visitation. Additionally, the museum plans to 
work with the New Mexico Department of Labor to identify individuals 
who can be brought off welfare or less meaningful employment to work 
for the museum.
  The Hubbard Museum has a long history of providing free consulting 
and operating help to museums and not-for-profit organizations in 
Lincoln County. It is a true asset and I am pleased to introduce a bill 
that will help continue these worthwhile efforts.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1964

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. HUBBARD MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN WEST, NEW MEXICO.

       (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Secretary of the Interior shall make a 
     grant to the Hubbard Museum of the American West in Lincoln 
     County, New Mexico, to pay the Federal share of the cost of 
     expanding the museum.
       (b) Federal Share.--The Federal share shall be 75 percent.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2003, to remain available until expended.
                                 ______