[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4479-H4482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMISSION TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL CREATION OF A NATIONAL MUSEUM OF
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE ACT
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3525) to establish the Commission to Study the Potential
Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and
Culture, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3525
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Commission To Study the
Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific
American History and Culture Act''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--There is established the Commission to
Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian
Pacific American History and Culture (hereafter in this Act
referred to as the ``Commission'').
(b) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 8
members, of whom--
(1) 2 members shall be appointed by the majority leader of
the Senate;
(2) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives;
(3) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority leader of
the Senate; and
(4) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority leader of
the House of Representatives.
(c) Qualifications.--Members of the Commission shall be
appointed to the Commission from among individuals, or
representatives of institutions or entities, who possess--
(1)(A) a demonstrated commitment to the research, study, or
promotion of Asian Pacific American history, art, political
or economic status, or culture; and
(B)(i) expertise in museum administration;
(ii) expertise in fundraising for nonprofit or cultural
institutions;
(iii) experience in the study and teaching of Asian Pacific
American history;
(iv) experience in studying the issue of the representation
of Asian Pacific Americans in art, life, history, and culture
at the Smithsonian Institution; or
(v) extensive experience in public or elected service;
(2) experience in the administration of, or the planning
for, the establishment of, museums; or
(3) experience in the planning, design, or construction of
museum facilities.
(d) Deadline for Initial Appointment.--The initial members
of the Commission shall be appointed not later than the date
that is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(e) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission--
(1) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and
(2) shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment was made.
(f) Chairperson.--The Commission shall, by majority vote of
all of the members, select 1 member of the Commission to
serve as the Chairperson of the Commission.
(g) Prohibition.--No employee of the Federal Government may
serve as a member of the Commission.
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Reports.--
(1) Plan of action.--The Commission shall submit to the
President and Congress a report containing the
recommendations of the Commission with respect to a plan of
action regarding the feasibility of establishing and
maintaining a National Museum of Asian Pacific American
History and Culture in Washington, DC, and its environs
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Museum'').
(2) Report on issues.--The Commission shall submit to the
President and Congress a report that addresses the following
issues:
(A) The availability and cost of collections to be acquired
and housed in the Museum.
(B) The impact of the Museum on existing Asian Pacific
American history-related museums.
(C) In consultation with the Smithsonian Institution,
develop criteria for evaluating possible locations for the
Museum in Washington, DC, and its environs.
(D) The feasibility of the Museum becoming part of the
Smithsonian Institution, taking into account the Museum's
potential impact on the Smithsonian's existing facilities
maintenance backlog, collections storage needs, and
identified construction or renovation costs for new or
existing museums.
(E) The governance and organizational structure from which
the Museum should operate.
(F) Best practices for engaging Asian Pacific Americans in
the development and design of the Museum.
(G) The cost of constructing, operating, and maintaining
the Museum.
(3) Deadline.--The reports required under paragraphs (1)
and (2) shall be submitted not later than the date that is 18
months after the date of the first meeting of the Commission.
(b) Fundraising Plan.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall develop a fundraising
plan that will address the ability to support the
establishment, operation, and maintenance of the Museum
through contributions from the public.
(2) Considerations.--In developing the fundraising plan
under paragraph (1), the Commission shall consider issues
relating to funding the operations and maintenance of the
Museum in perpetuity without reliance on appropriations of
Federal funds.
(3) Independent review.--The Commission shall obtain an
independent review of the viability of the plan developed
under paragraph (1) and such review shall include an analysis
as to whether the plan is able to achieve the level of
resources necessary to fund the construction of the Museum
and the operations and maintenance of the Museum in
perpetuity without reliance on appropriations of Federal
funds.
(4) Submission.--The Commission shall submit the plan
developed under paragraph (1) and the review conducted under
paragraph (3) to the Committees on House Administration,
Natural Resources, and Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Committees on Rules and
Administration, Energy and Natural Resources, and
Appropriations of the Senate.
(c) Legislation To Carry Out Plan of Action.--Based on the
recommendations contained in the report submitted under
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), the Commission
shall submit for consideration to the Committees on House
Administration, Natural Resources, and Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and the Committees on Rules and
Administration, Energy and Natural Resources, and
Appropriations of the Senate recommendations for a
legislative plan of action on the feasibility of establishing
and constructing the Museum.
(d) National Conference.--Not later than 18 months after
the date on which the initial members of the Commission are
appointed under section 2, the Commission may, in carrying
out the duties of the Commission under this section, convene
a national conference relating to the Museum, to be comprised
of individuals committed to the advancement of the life, art,
history, and culture of Asian Pacific Americans.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
(a) Compensation.--
(1) In general.--A member of the Commission--
(A) shall not be considered to be a Federal employee for
any purpose by reason of service on the Commission; and
(B) shall serve without pay.
(2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be
allowed a per diem allowance for travel expenses, at rates
consistent with those authorized under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Gifts, bequests, and devises.--The Commission may
solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or
devises of money, services, or real or personal property for
the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the
Commission.
[[Page H4480]]
(4) Federal advisory committee act.--The Commission shall
not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.).
(b) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on the
date that is 30 days after the date on which the final
versions of the reports required under section 3 are
submitted.
(c) Funding.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall be solely responsible
for acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the
expenses of, the Commission.
(2) Prohibition.--No Federal funds may be obligated to
carry out this Act.
(d) Director and Staff of Commission.--
(1) Director and staff.--
(A) In general.--The Commission may employ and compensate
an executive director and any other additional personnel that
are necessary to enable the Commission to perform the duties
of the Commission.
(B) Rates of pay.--Rates of pay for persons employed under
subparagraph (A) shall be consistent with the rates of pay
allowed for employees of a temporary organization under
section 3161 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Not federal employment.--Any individual employed under
this section shall not be considered a Federal employee for
the purpose of any law governing Federal employment.
(3) Technical assistance.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), on request of
the Commission, the head of a Federal agency may provide
technical assistance to the Commission.
(B) Prohibition.--No Federal employees may be detailed to
the Commission.
SEC. 5. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall
be determined by reference to the latest statement titled
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act,
submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the
Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Bentz) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
General Leave
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3525, the Commission To Study
the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American
History and Culture Act, introduced by my friend and colleague,
Representative Grace Meng.
This legislation would establish a commission to study and report on
the potential creation of a national museum of Asian Pacific American
history and culture in the District of Columbia and its surrounding
areas.
The establishment of this commission is a first step in acknowledging
the long history, role, and contributions of Asian Americans in
American culture.
I thank Representative Meng for championing this piece of
legislation. I urge my colleagues to support its adoption, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on House Administration,
Washington, DC, March 30, 2022.
Hon. Raul M. Grijalva,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Grijalva: I am writing to you concerning H.R.
3525. There are certain provisions in the legislation which
fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on House
Administration.
In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed
expeditiously to floor consideration, the Committee on House
Administration agrees to forego action on the bill. This is
done with the understanding that the Committee on House
Administration's jurisdictional interests over this and
similar legislation are in no way diminished or altered. In
addition, the Committee reserves its right to seek conferees
on any provisions within its jurisdiction which are
considered in a House-Senate conference and requests your
support if such a request is made.
I would appreciate your response confirming this
understanding with respect to H.R. 3525 and ask that a copy
of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in your
committee report on the bill and in the Congressional Record
during consideration of the bill on the House floor.
Sincerely,
Zoe Lofgren,
Chairperson.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, April 5, 2022.
Hon. Zoe Lofgren,
Chair, Committee on House Administration,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chair Lofgren, I write to you concerning H.R. 3525,
the ``Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a
National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture
Act.''
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions
that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on House
Administration. I acknowledge that your Committee will not
formally consider H.R. 3525 and agree that the inaction of
your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any
future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the
bill that fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I
am pleased to support your request to name members of the
Committee on House Administration to any conference committee
to consider such provisions.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Raul M. Grijalva,
Chair, House Natural Resources Committee.
{time} 1530
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3525, offered by
Representative Meng, to authorize a commission to study the potential
creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and
Culture.
My home State of Oregon has a proud and growing Asian-American and
Pacific-Islander population. Oregon is home to many cultural centers,
museums, gardens, and historic sites related to Asian-American and
Pacific-Islander heritage.
This commission would be tasked with preparing a report for Congress
and the President providing recommendations regarding the feasibility
of establishing and maintaining a National Museum of Asian Pacific
American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
The commission would be required to consider several factors,
including the availability and cost of the collections to be acquired,
the cost of constructing, operating, and maintaining the museum, and
the feasibility of the museum becoming part of the Smithsonian
Institution.
While I support this bill, I am concerned about the significant
financial and operational challenges that adding an additional national
museum to the Smithsonian's portfolio could pose.
Just 2 years ago, Congress authorized the establishment of the
National Museum of the American Latino and American Women's History
Museum. In addition to constructing two new museums, the Smithsonian is
facing a facilities maintenance backlog approaching $1 billion;
identified collection storage needs; a $900 million renovation of the
National Air and Space Museum expected to conclude this year; and
ongoing rehabilitation of other historic structures on the National
Mall.
I appreciate Chair Grijalva's willingness to address Republican
concerns about the Smithsonian's capacity. At markup, an amendment was
adopted to require the commission to consider the potential impact on
the Smithsonian's existing maintenance backlog and identified
construction or renovation costs for new or existing museums.
Additionally, I appreciate an amendment adopted at markup to prohibit
the use of Federal funds for the commission. These are good governance
amendments that will strengthen the commission's work and eventual
report.
I appreciate our friends on the other side of the aisle taking this
bill through regular order and working with Republicans to address our
concerns.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Meng), the sponsor of the
legislation.
[[Page H4481]]
Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 3525, a
bill I authored to establish a commission to study the potential
creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and
Culture.
I want to first thank Chairman Grijalva and Ranking Member Westerman
of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Congressman Bentz, and
Chairman Neguse and Ranking Member Fulcher of the Subcommittee on
National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands for their work with me on
bringing this bill to the floor.
Second, I thank Speaker Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, and Whip Clyburn for
their support on this historic legislation. I also acknowledge and
thank Chairperson Lofgren of the Committee on House Administration for
her support in moving this bill forward.
I first introduced this bill in the 114th Congress, and during that
Congress, we witnessed the opening of the National Museum of African
American History and Culture that our former colleague, the legendary
John Lewis, spearheaded for decades.
Since then, we have seen legislation establishing the National Museum
of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History
Museum signed into law.
Our communities and caucuses have stood together in each of these
efforts, and it is a joy to see this AAPI museum study bill arrive at
this point today.
America is filled with diverse stories of achievement and moments of
tragedy. Within our shared history, there are countless tales of Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders, or AAPIs, contributing to every facet
of our Nation.
As far back as the 1700s, AAPIs have shaped American society. From
the Chinese laborers who helped build the transcontinental railroad, a
vital piece of U.S. infrastructure, to the thousands of AAPIs who
fought for fair working conditions for agricultural workers during the
Hawaii sugar strike of 1946, AAPIs have and continue to shape this
Nation's history.
Yet, those contributions are often unheard of and simply forgotten.
It is time to change that. A national museum dedicated to collecting,
preserving, and displaying these tales is long overdue.
Museums provide a space to reflect on our past, assess our present,
and dream of the future that we are working toward.
My bill is one step closer to the creation of a national museum
dedicated to our AAPI American history. The commission established
through this legislation will be comprised of experts in their
respective fields who will be responsible for studying the feasibility
of creating a national museum and providing recommendations to Congress
on whether to, and how to establish a national museum.
Additionally, the commission will study logistical questions of
exhibit curation, fundraising capacity, cost of creating and
maintaining such an institution, and whether or not this museum should
be part of the Smithsonian Institution.
AAPIs are the fastest growing ethnic group in America, and the
contributions of this community have shaped our Nation's
infrastructure, economy, culture, and so much more. We must never
forget that AAPI history is also American history.
Today's consideration of H.R. 3525 is a necessary step to ensure the
full face of American diversity across our entire country is displayed.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
New Jersey (Mr. Kim).
Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
3525, the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National
Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act.
The contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to this
great Nation have been enormous. The history of AAPIs is rich, but this
history is rarely talked about, and the contributions often go unknown
or unrecognized. I am often asked how someone can learn about AAPI
history, and admittedly, I don't know as much as I should.
Now more than ever, with the rise in hate crimes like the Atlanta
shootings and other acts of violence in New York City and throughout
the country, we keep hearing this phrase, ``You don't belong here.''
I have heard that throughout my life and, sadly, my two little boys,
4 years old and 6 years old, have already heard hurtful words that have
labeled them in ways they don't yet understand.
Like many, I don't want my kids to understand who they are through
sources of hate and discrimination. I want them to feel pride, pride in
who they are, pride in AAPIs, and pride in our place in this Nation.
Our story is not just an Asian-American story. It is an American
story. The history is not just an Asian-American history, it is
American history, and this history isn't just for AAPIs to learn, it is
for all of us. Together, through learning, we can come together,
creating greater understanding, a closer knit community, celebrating
the richness of this Nation.
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared
to close.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Cardenas).
Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3525 to
commission a study for the creation of a National Museum of Asian
Pacific American History and Culture Act.
Asian Americans have been contributing to the fabric of our United
States of America from its earliest days, helping to build, shape, and
defend our great country.
This long-overdue museum will serve as a gateway for everyone to see,
feel, and understand the countless true stories of Asian Americans,
stories of perseverance, dedication, and beating the odds to achieve
their dreams. Those from trailblazers like Larry Itliong, a Filipino-
American labor leader who organized with Latino civil rights leaders
like Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.
My father worked in the fields, and I remember when I was a little
boy, he told me once, ``When I worked in the fields, I wanted to work
harder than everyone else. The people who always worked as hard as me
and challenged me were my Filipino colleagues working in the fields.''
I quoted him in English, although my father spoke to me in Spanish.
Or people like Constance Wu, Awkwafina, and Ali Wong, whose
contributions to the arts have positively impacted millions of
Americans. These stories and so many more deserve to be told and
understood.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bill. I can't wait to see the
day this museum is on The Mall with the National Museum of the American
Latino, the American Women's History Museum, the National Museum of
African American History and Culture, and the National Museum of the
American Indian.
I would also like to take a point of privilege to say thank you to
Grace Meng, who at one time was the only Asian-American legislator in
the legislature in New York. Not the first one, but she was there by
herself, and she was a caucus of one, and she is now in the United
States Congress, serving our community proudly and representing her
community proudly as well.
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say how important this bill
is, in part because of the incredibly valuable folks we have in my part
of my State, including the Kitamuras, the Nagakis, the Maedas, the
Nambas, the Saitos, the Itos, the Tanakas, the Teramuras, and many
others, all of whom are absolutely wonderful parts of our community.
They are also incredibly conservative, and I am sure will be happy to
see the portions of this bill that reflect the agreement to make sure
that we are able to pay for whatever it is that we do. They are truly
deserving of this recognition.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is important. It comes at
the right time. It is an affirmation of the inclusiveness, diversity,
and the equal status of all of us as Americans.
I am very proud to support this. I urge its adoption, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by
[[Page H4482]]
the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3525, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________