[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018

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                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2017

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3354) making 
     appropriations for the Department of the Interior, 
     environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2018, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support 
of my Amendment No.19 to H.R. 3354, the Department of the Interior, 
Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018, included in 
Division A En Bloc 1. My amendment would increase the funding for the 
Smithsonian Institute Salaries and Expenses by $2 million with the 
intended purpose of providing increased resources for the recently 
launched Smithsonian's American Women's History Initiative.
  I strongly support the Initiative and its goal to more completely 
include the contributions of women throughout Smithsonian institutions 
by directing resources toward cataloging collections inventory, 
expanding exhibits, and developing educational programs on American 
women's history.
  I strongly believe that ultimately we need a new Smithsonian museum 
dedicated to American women's history. Last year a bipartisan 
Congressional Commission made a strong, unanimous recommendation that 
our country needs such a museum and that it belongs in the Smithsonian 
system and should be prominently located on the National Mall. I have 
introduced legislation that incorporates those recommendations, and I'm 
grateful for the support of 247 bipartisan members of the House who 
have cosponsored my bill. I hope there will be broad support for this 
amendment as well. This Initiative represents the first important step 
toward establishing a physical Smithsonian Museum on American Women's 
History and aims to make important improvements in existing museum 
exhibitions to more accurately and completely tell the story of our 
nation's history.
  I strongly urge the passage of this amendment and the en bloc.

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