[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SMITHONIAN'S ANACOSTIA COMMUNITY 
                                 MUSEUM

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2017

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring the 50th anniversary of the 
Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum.
  The Anacostia Community Museum, which opened in 1976, has been a 
staple of the District of Columbia community. Not only has the museum 
served as a major cultural institution, including in highlighting the 
important contributions made by African Americans to D.C. and the 
nation, but it has also served as a pillar of educational enrichment 
and achievement through its Museum Academy Program. In addition, the 
museum's Citizen Scientist Program brings high school students and 
Smithsonian educators, as well as scientists, together to engage in 
environmental stewardship and learn more about science, technology, 
engineering and mathematics initiatives.
  The museum also continues to be a dominant force in terms of 
community engagement, creating a hands-on children's room and a youth 
advisory council. Additionally, the museum works on a number of events 
and projects that focus on community restoration within Anacostia. For 
example, the museum recently hosted a community forum with the National 
Park Service to illustrate the importance of volunteering within one's 
community and also partnered with WTTG Fox 5 to allow visitors to 
participate in an urban gardening project.
  Aside from its community engagement and restoration, the Anacostia 
Community Museum showcases various exhibits that focus on the different 
issues that impact urban communities, both in D.C. and nationwide. 
Specifically, the museum works with D.C. residents, artists, community 
activists, scholars, local officials and other outside organizations to 
cultivate carefully crafted exhibits that challenge museum visitors to 
think critically and enhance their museum experience.
  Therefore, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring 
the Anacostia Community Museum, an institution that continues to remain 
at the forefront of addressing social and political issues that affect 
individuals in D.C. and the nation, as it celebrates its 50th 
Anniversary.

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