[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 144 (Thursday, September 22, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE OPENING OF THE 
 SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2016

  Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer a bipartisan resolution 
which recognizes the opening of the Smithsonian's National Museum of 
African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) on Saturday, September 
24, 2016. I am so proud that over 110 of my colleagues from both sides 
of the aisle have joined me as original cosponsors.
  This weekend will mark a historic moment in our Nation's history. 
Hundreds of thousands of people will convene in Washington, D.C. on the 
National Mall to celebrate and welcome this historic institution which 
is dedicated to documenting African American life, history, art, and 
culture. Many people in this body, across the nation, and around the 
world shall celebrate this great day.
  Tonight, I applaud Dr. Lonnie Bunch, III, the Founding Director, 
Kinshasha Holman Conwill, the Deputy Director, Cheryl Smith, Chief of 
Staff, and the hundreds and thousands of people who worked so hard to 
make this dream a reality. For over 10 years, they have toiled day in 
and day out to prepare for the opening and operation of the National 
Museum of African American History and Culture.
  I know that the leadership and staff of the Museum have labored 
tirelessly for years and years--designing the building, raising funds, 
envisioning the exhibits, collecting artifacts, conducting research, 
and meeting with the many people across this country and around the 
world who are so excited about this historic moment. Mr. Speaker, I 
thank each and every one of them for their hard work, dedication, and 
determination to the National Museum of African American History and 
Culture.
  Mr. Speaker, the National Museum of African American History and 
Culture took over 100 years to evolve from a dream to a reality in the 
Nation's Capital on the National Mall. The most recent congressional 
effort began with the late former Congressman Thomas ``Mickey'' Leland 
from Texas who revitalized the legislation in 1985. I was proud to 
continue his work and fought for 15 years for the bill to pass the 
House and Senate before finally being signed into law by President 
George W. Bush.
  It was a long, hard, labor of love, and there were so many wonderful 
Members on both sides of the aisle and the dome, who helped accomplish 
this mission which spanned generations, decades, and movements. In 
1993, the late Senator Paul Martin Simon from Illinois introduced a 
companion to the House legislation. Beginning in 2001, former Senator 
Sam Brownback from Kansas, former Senator Max Cleland from Georgia, and 
former Senator Chris Dodd from Connecticut joined the House coalition 
which included Representatives William ``Bill'' Clay from Missouri, 
J.C. Watts, Jr. from Oklahoma, and Jack Kingston from Georgia who 
helped take this bipartisan, bicameral effort across the finish line.
  Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not also thank some of the 
former congressional staff who worked for so many years to pass the 
legislation which authorized the Museum--Tammy Boyd in my office; Kern 
Watson with former Rep. J.C. Watts; LaRochelle Young with former Sen. 
Sam Brownback: and Donni Turner with former Sen. Max Cleland. They 
refused to give up; they refused to give in, and we thank them for 
their hard work and service.
  On the eve of this long-awaited day, I join with more than 110 of my 
colleagues in congratulating Smithsonian Institution's family, the 
countless staff, and many volunteers of the National Museum of African 
American History and Culture on their persistence, their determination, 
and--very, very soon--on their success.
  Tonight, we should all be proud, and each and every one of us must 
take the necessary hours, days, weeks, and months to visit, learn, 
explore, and reflect on the Smithsonian's National Museum of African 
American History and Culture and all that it signifies and entails.

                          ____________________