[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 18, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mrs. Boxer, Mrs. Hutchison, and Mr. 
        Bingaman):
  S. 2434. A bill to establish the Commission to Study the Potential 
Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community to 
develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a 
National Museum of the American Latino Community in Washington, D.C., 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to 
create a national commission to study the potential establishment of a 
National Museum of the American Latino Community in Washington, D.C.
  I am pleased to introduce this measure today, and I am joined by my 
colleagues Senators Barbara Boxer, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Jeff 
Bingaman, all of whom have worked extensively with the Hispanic 
community on issues of importance.
  The Hispanic community is the fastest growing ethnic group in the 
United States, and in my home State of Utah, Hispanics now account for 
nearly 10 percent of the population. Utah is a wonderful mosaic, 
encompassing a diverse number of peoples and cultures, and in fact, the 
latest census shows that Utah's Hispanic population has nearly doubled 
since 1990. But this phenomenon is not just happening in Utah.
  It is clear we are seeing remarkable growth in our Nation's Hispanic 
population. And with this growth, we need to recognize and find ways to 
better highlight the accomplishments of Latinos over their rich history 
in America. We need to express the importance of diversity, pride, and 
the sharing of the cultures that contribute to the vibrancy and 
splendor of our Nation.
  Every day we are reminded of the fact that Latinos are among our 
Nation's largest minorities, and numbers do have meaning. It is my 
belief that Latinos in America exhibit a strong desire--a commitment to 
building a nation where people are judged by their actions and not by 
their accents. They believe in the work ethic, patriotism, the 
importance of families, the free enterprise system, and the value of 
faith; they believe in these things and they experience these tenets, 
as they live them day in and day out here in America.
  I believe strongly in preserving the sanctity of the heritage of 
cultures, and we should treasure these gifts. I believe that all 
Americans are enriched by learning to view the history of our Nation 
through the prisms of other cultures and languages.
  When American and foreign tourists visit Washington, They expect to 
gain a better understanding of our collective history and culture. They 
see exhibits that educate visitors about our Nation's miraculous 
technological achievements, our military sacrifices and 
accomplishments, and the documents establishing the most sacred tenets 
of our democratic traditions. Yet, as demonstrated by the efforts to 
establish the National Museum of the American Indian and the National 
Museum of African American History and Culture, the lessons taught by 
our institutions are incomplete.
  Children who visit museums in Washington should have the opportunity 
to learn the full history of who we are and who we are becoming as 
Americans. Nearly 40 million U.S. residents share a cultural heritage 
that is only beginning to be understood as wholly American, yet few of 
the exhibits in the Smithsonian's and other museums in Washington 
commemorate American Latino cultural contributions.
  This legislation would take the next step toward ensuring that the 
lessons taught by our premier institutions for the arts and humanities 
include a better representation of American Latino cultural 
contributions. I hope that we will soon be able to say that the 
Nation's Capital truly exhibits America's rich cultural diversity.
  I would like to note that Representative Xavier Becerra has 
introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives, and I am 
honored to introduce this companion legislation in the Senate. I hope 
this measure will be approved by the Senate in short order.
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