[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13577]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I close my opening remarks today by 
commenting on an issue that will be talked about later in morning 
business. It has to do with the development and launching of 
legislation on the National Museum of African American History. I 
thank, in particular, the Presiding Officer of the Senate now, Senator 
Brownback, for his leadership on this issue. Also, I thank Senator 
Dodd, Senator Lott, Senator Santorum, Senator Stevens, Representative 
John Lewis of Georgia, and Representative J. C. Watts for their 
outstanding efforts in launching the National Museum of African 
American History.
  Currently, there is no national museum that honors the African-
American story, and my colleagues seek to change that. They have 
introduced legislation to plan and construct a museum within the 
Smithsonian Institution dedicated to celebrating and preserving 
African-American history at a national level.
  The legislation sets forth a joint Federal-private partnership for 
building the museum and authorizes $17 million for the first year to 
launch the museum council which will be comprised of leading African 
Americans from the museum, historical, and business communities.
  The Museum of African American History will help educate all 
Americans and visitors alike on the rich history of African Americans 
and their essential role in transforming America's politics, its 
culture, its character, and its soul.
  I take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for their commitment 
and for their leadership in this important endeavor.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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