[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 27, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM COMMISSION ACT OF 
                                  2013

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2013

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
introduce the National Women's History Museum Commission Act of 2013. I 
am proud to be joined in this effort by my friends and colleagues 
Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, as well 
as by Senator Susan Collins.
  This bill, with a Senate companion sponsored by Senator Collins, 
creates a commission to review the feasibility and cost for building a 
National Women's History Museum (NWHM) on the National Mall.
  This commission will be bipartisan, consisting of an eight member 
body comprised of two members appointed by the Senate Majority Leader, 
two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
two members appointed by the Minority Speaker of the Senate, and two 
members appointed by the House of Representatives Minority Leader. The 
appointees are required to demonstrate proficient knowledge and 
commitment to the research and study of women's history.
  Most importantly, this fiscally responsible bill will not use any 
taxpayer dollars. The NWHM commission will be entirely financed through 
private funds.
  Women's history is largely missing from textbooks, memorials, museum 
exhibits and many other venues. Today, more than half a century after 
she changed our nation's history, Congress is honoring civil rights 
leader Rosa Parks with a statue in the U.S. Capitol. This is an 
extraordinary achievement that we should build on. Of the over 200 
statues in the Capitol, there are currently only 13 statues depicting 
women.
  Across the country, less than 5 percent of the 2,400 national 
historic landmarks chronicle women's achievements and according to a 
survey of 18 history textbooks, only 10% were dedicated to women.
  The museums and memorials in our Nation's Capital reflect our 
country's values. Though we have museums dedicated to other important 
people and subjects such as flight, postage stamps, and law 
enforcement, we do not have a museum contributed to women's history.
  Despite being half of our population, women's deep and lasting 
impacts have taken a backseat to the hundreds of years of written and 
available narrative focusing on men. It is time that women are honored 
for their many contributions that are the very fabric of our country. 
This bill would be the first step in achieving that goal.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the women that built this 
nation by cosponsoring the National Women's History Museum Commission 
Act.

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