[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17983]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN LATINO MUSEUM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2011

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce with 
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18) the Smithsonian American 
Latino Museum Act--a companion bill that is also being introduced today 
in the U.S. Senate by our colleagues Senator Robert Menendez (NJ), 
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) and Senator Marco Rubio (FL).
  The Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act we introduce today 
advances the work of the National Museum the American Latino 
Commission--a 23-member bi-partisan, congressionally authorized 
commission of experts that investigated the potential creation of a 
museum. Through an exhaustive process that involved consultations with 
national experts, forums in eight cities (Chicago, Albuquerque, Austin, 
Miami, St. Paul, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Juan, Puerto 
Rico), and communication via several online platforms that engaged tens 
of thousan supporters, the commission generated valuable input 
regarding the feasibility of an American Latino museum Washington, D.C.
  Over the past eighteen years the call has grown stronger and stronger 
to establish such a museum on our National Mall that shares the rich 
and full story of what it means to be an American. The effort to create 
the American Latino Museum dates back to 1993, when a Smithsonian Task 
Force on Latino Issues formally called for the creation of a national 
museum dedicated to sharing the story of Latinos' historic, cultural 
and artistic contributions to the U.S. I was proud to introduce the 
legislation in 2003 that created the National Museum of the American 
Latino Commission. Five years later, in 2008, Congress passed the bill 
and it was signed by President George W. Bush. Once appointed by 
Congress and President Barack Obama, the Commission began its work in 
2009 with the support of the Department of Interior and Secretary Ken 
Salazar. The Commission's final 2011 report and recommendations can be 
viewed at http://www.americanlatinomuseum.gov.
  The bill we are introducing responds to the Commission's call for the 
creation of a national museum in Washington, D.C. that ``illuminates 
the American story for the benefit of all'' by preserving, presenting 
and interpreting American Latino history, art, cultural expressions, 
and experiences. Specifically, the bill:
  (1) Establishes within the Smithsonian Institution a museum to be 
known as the ``Smithsonian American Latino Museum.''
  (2) Designates the museum's site as the Arts and Industries Building 
on the National Mall, at 900 Jefferson Drive Southwest in Washington, 
D.C.
  (3) Authorizes the Smithsonian Board of Regents to prepare a plan of 
action for the museum, as referred to in the May 2011 Report to 
Congress submitted by the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of 
a National Museum of the American Latino, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, the National 
Capital Planning Commission and federal and local agencies.
  (4) Authorizes the Regents to identify and evaluate viable funding 
models for both the construction and operation of the museum, within 18 
months after the bill is enacted.
  (5) Authorizes the Regents and Secretary of the Interior to enter 
into an agreement that allows for the planning design and construction 
of an underground annex facility, in a manner harmonious with and to 
protect the open space and visual sightlines of the Mall.
  Today marks a key moment in our effort to ensure that the 
contributions of Americans of Latino descent receive respect and 
recognition earned by a patriotic community of Americans who have 
served this nation since its inception and now number over 50 million. 
I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and to 
supporting the Smithsonian Institution in an important new chapter of 
its work to increase understanding of the American experience.

                          ____________________