[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 158 (Thursday, October 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SOUTHWEST 
                                 MUSEUM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 18, 2007

  Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure and privilege 
that I rise today to pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of the 
founding of the Southwest Museum in Los Angeles, California. On October 
21, 2007, community members and leaders throughout Los Angeles will 
gather at the Southwest Museum to celebrate the institution's 100 years 
of service, historical significance, and role as an educational pillar 
in the worldwide community.
  The Southwest Museum is the second oldest museum west of the 
Mississippi River, and the first museum in Los Angeles. Initially 
located in the Hamburger Building at Eighth Street and Broadway in 
downtown Los Angeles, the Southwest Museum moved into its historic home 
above the Arroyo Seco in 1914, opening its doors to the public in 
August of that year. The beautiful Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival 
style building, designed by Sumner Hunt and Silas Bums, has stood as a 
cultural and educational landmark and destination in northeast Los 
Angeles since that time.
  The Southwest Museum was established in 1907 by Charles Lummis and 
the Southwest Society, who originally conceived it as a museum of 
science, history, and art. By the 1920s, the mission of the Southwest 
Museum had narrowed to study the history and culture of America's 
indigenous peoples. Over the course of time, the Southwest Museum has 
assembled one of the world's largest and most important collections of 
Native American material, representing indigenous peoples, spanning the 
breadth of North America. Its 250,000 ethnographic, archaeological, and 
historic artifacts comprise one of the largest nongovernmental 
collections of this type.
  On May 27, 2003, the Southwest Museum merged with the Autry Museum of 
Western Heritage to create the Autry National Center. Through 
conservation of the collections, work on rehabilitation of the historic 
building, and plans for exhibitions, as well as cultural and 
educational programming, the Autry National Center is working to secure 
a vibrant life for the Southwest Museum's next 100 years. I am pleased 
to serve as a charter member of The Southwest Society, a newly 
established group committed to restoring and revitalizing the Southwest 
Museum in the vision of its founder, Charles Lummis.
  Through the years I have been fortunate to hold a number of community 
town hall meetings and art competition ceremonies at the Southwest 
Museum. Each time I visit this site, I am awestruck by the combination 
of the buildings' architecture, the natural oak tree-covered hillside, 
and the display of amazing artifacts--it really takes me back in time. 
When I go to the Southwest Museum, I find myself slowing down, and 
taking time to pause and wonder about eras and peoples past. We 
desperately need such historic treasures preserved in our communities 
and as part of The Southwest Society, I am committed to helping 
transform these preeminent historic resources into premiere cultural 
and educational destinations for even more Angelenos and visitors 
alike.
  Madam Speaker, while I opened by highlighting the Southwest Museum's 
century-long service to the world wide community, I want to close by 
recognizing the nearby Northeast Los Angeles community neighbors' 
dedication and passion for the Southwest Museum. Many share an intense 
loyalty and kinship with this historic institution in their 
neighborhood. They've come to the museum as school children and then 
shared the displays with their own children. As these neighbors go 
about their daily errands, they gaze up to see the Southwest Museum's 
Caracol Tower understanding that this institution is part of their 
fabric of life. I know that many of these neighbors will be joining in 
this Sunday's celebration of the Southwest Museum's 100-year 
anniversary, and I also wish to salute them for their steadfast loyalty 
in seeking to preserve their wonderful neighbor.

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