[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6115-6116]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              20TH ANNIVERSARY OF NEVADA'S HISPANIC MUSEUM

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
Hispanic Museum of Nevada--Museo Hispano de

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Nevada--for its 20 years of service to our community.
  For the last two decades, Museo Hispano de Nevada has been guided by 
its mission: ``dedicated to promote awareness, education and resources 
of the diverse Hispanic cultures and traditions to enhance 
intercultural understanding among community members.'' This institution 
has played a critical role in educating Nevadans about the diversity of 
Latino heritage and promoting pride and cultural understanding.
  The Museo Hispano de Nevada has sponsored numerous field trips and 
workshops, shedding light on the different cultural traditions of the 
Latino population and enabling future generations to learn about their 
heritage through historic artifacts and art exhibits. These programs 
and activities have served as learning tools for educating our 
community about the diversity in my home State of Nevada, where 26 
percent of the population is Latino, accounting for 46 percent of 
growth in the Silver State.
  As someone who has directly witnessed the importance of having a 
museum dedicated to preserving the history and telling the stories of 
Latinos in my home State, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the 
Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act, S. 1868. It is my hope that a 
museum illuminating the richness of the Latino culture and history, as 
well as the numerous contributions Hispanics have made to the United 
States, will be built in our Nation's Capital in the near future.
  I would also like to recognize Lynnette Sawyer, executive director of 
the museum, for her outstanding leadership and commitment to the 
museum. I extend a warm felt thanks to the staff and countless 
individuals who have worked over the years to make this great 
institution a resource for all Nevadans. Please join me in 
congratulating the Hispanic Museum of Nevada for 20 years of great work 
honoring the rich diversity among Hispanics and their many 
contributions to our great State. I wish the Museo Hispano de Nevada 
continued success in their future endeavors.

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