[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 26 (Monday, February 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMISSION TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL CREATION OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF 
                    THE AMERICAN LATINO ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2007

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 512, 
to establish the commission to study the potential creation of the 
National Museum of the American Latino to develop a plan of action for 
the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American 
Latino in Washington, DC, and for other purposes.
  Here in our Nation's Capitol we are proud of the history from the 
past that surrounds us and embrace the history that is made each and 
every day. Amongst the many museums that pay tribute to our rich 
history as a nation, there still remains a sense of incompletion in our 
lessons of our history, art and culture. Even though 40 million United 
States residents share the Latino heritage and culture, hardly any 
permanent exhibits in Washington's museums commemorate their cultural 
contributions. I commend Representative Becerra for recognizing the 
need to share the collective history of Latino-Americans and to ensure 
that their stories, cultural contributions and heritage are not 
forgotten for generations to come.
  This bipartisan bill was first introduced as H.R. 2134 during the 
109th Congress and passed by a unanimous vote but time ran out before 
the Senate could act on the bill. I was a co-sponsor of H.R. 2134 and 
it is my sincere hope that my colleagues in the Senate will take quick 
action and speedily move this important legislation forward upon its 
passage in the House. This legislation recognizes the need for detailed 
and careful planning and proposes a 23 member commission to discuss the 
museum's vitality and is charged with producing a national conference 
to bring stakeholders, experts, policy makers and other interested 
parties together. It is important to take the chief ideas discussed and 
move them from concept to reality; the commission would be tasked with 
designing a fundraising plan to create an extensive public-private 
partnership as well as reporting to Congress a detailed recommended 
plan of action on how to do so.
  Again, I thank my colleague, Mr. Becerra, for introducing this 
important legislation, to ensure that we celebrate, commemorate and 
remember the contribution of Latino Americans by moving to establish a 
National museum and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
resolution.

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