[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 159 (Wednesday, September 26, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H8892-H8893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Hispanic Heritage 
Month by honoring one of our rich

[[Page H8893]]

treasures of the Midwest, El Museo Latino, on the occasion of its 25th 
year of operation in Omaha, Nebraska.
  El Museo Latino opened its doors in the historic Livestock Exchange 
Building on May 5, 1993, as the first Latino art and history museum and 
cultural center in the Midwest. Today, it is one of only 17 Latino 
museums in the United States.
  Since opening, El Museo Latino has been a nonprofit organization with 
a mission to collect, exhibit, and interpret Latino arts of the 
Americas. It is committed to strengthening the artistic and creative 
culture of the greater Omaha area. It accomplishes this by providing 
direct support to local artists, increasing the visibility of Latino 
art forms, and fostering an appreciation of art for the benefit of a 
diverse audience.
  El Museo Latino creates and presents exhibitions year-round that 
feature local, national, and international Latino arts. The exhibits 
range from pre-Columbian to contemporary arts through both temporary 
and permanent displays.
  Central to El Museo Latino's programming are the educational programs 
that are created for each of the exhibitions, including bilingual 
guided visits, lectures, presentations, films, workshops, 
demonstrations, and classes. The educational programs are designed for 
children, teens, and adults and focus on the visual and performing 
arts. The art classes offered throughout the year include traditional 
art forms and those featured in the museum's active exhibits.
  El Museo Latino also highlights special traditional celebrations and 
community events throughout the year, including Cinco de Mayo, Family 
Days, Dia del Nino, Hispanic Heritage Month, and many other holiday 
celebrations. Other special community events include the presentation 
of films throughout the year as well as summer outdoor free screenings 
of Latino films.
  As the founder and executive director of El Museo Latino, Magdalena 
Garcia is passionate about the arts. Prior to creating El Museo Latino, 
she volunteered at a number of museums, including the Joslyn Art 
Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and the Erie Canal 
Museum in Syracuse, New York.

  After completing her master's of arts degree at Syracuse University, 
Magdalena returned to Omaha and shared her dream to create a museum for 
Latino culture in Omaha with the support of community leaders, 
including activist-educator Jim Ramirez.
  Through years of hard work, perseverance, and passion, her dream 
became a reality. The museum officially opened on May 5, 1993, with the 
help of many community leaders and volunteers.
  Ms. Garcia has received numerous honors and recognitions for her hard 
work and achievements. Most notably, in 2015, the Mexican Government 
honored her lifetime of achievement in the arts with the Ohtli Award.
  Over the past 25 years, El Museo Latino has presented more than 150 
exhibitions. Without this special treasure, much of the local Hispanic 
culture and history would be lost.
  Thanks to the proven leadership of Ms. Garcia and her board and the 
many contributions to the community over the past 25 years, we look 
forward to many more years of Hispanic heritage and Latino culture on 
display at El Museo Latino.


                        Breast Cancer Awareness

  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my mom and my sister 
during this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which will be in October. 
While my mother survived this terrible disease, my sister lost her 
battle at the young age of 39.
  I also want to recognize the millions of people every year who are 
affected by cancer.
  Breast cancer, along with ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, endometrial, 
colon, gastric, and melanoma cancers are all hereditary cancers that 
can be passed down from parents to children through their genes. 
Thankfully, there is testing that can make a significant and positive 
impact in identifying hereditary cancers before they emerge.
  Last month, I took a genetic test to determine if I have the genetic 
mutations that could develop into any of these hereditary cancers. 
While genetic mutations are thought to play a role in 5 to 10 percent 
of all cancers, the chance of inheriting the cancer-causing mutation is 
50 percent if one of the parents has it.
  Because my mom and sister had breast cancer, I decided to be tested 
to see if I have that mutation; because it is not only women who are 
victims of breast cancer, but men as well. While only 1 in 1,000 men 
will get breast cancer, it is still not something to ignore.
  The genetic markers I was tested for are called BRCA 1 and 2, and the 
chances of developing cancer if you have one of these genetic mutations 
skyrocket by as much as 87 percent.
  The test was simple. The staff drew my blood and collected 
information about cancer, my family history, including my grandparents, 
aunts, uncles, cousins on both sides of the family, my mom and dad. 
That family history also included the types of cancer, treatment given, 
and the age of diagnosis, or as close as known.
  There are many organizations out there that offer information about 
genetic testing and cancer, including the American Cancer Society, and 
in my home district the Kamie K. Preston Hereditary Cancer Foundation. 
In fact, the founder of this organization, Brandi Preston, joined me 
during this test to offer support and guidance. The foundation not only 
provides emotional support but financial support for those whose 
testing may not be covered.
  In going public with my test, I hope to encourage others who have a 
history of cancers in their family to go get tested. Knowledge and 
early detection are two of the many tools in the fight against cancer.

                          ____________________