Cárdenas Statement on Inclusion of Latino Museum in Omnibus Package
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congress voted on a bipartisan omnibus package that included authorization for the development of the Nation Museum of the American Latino. Introduced as a standalone bill in 2019, H.R. 2420, the National Museum of the American Latino Act would establish a Smithsonian National Museum on the National Mall dedicated to honoring the contributions of American Latinos throughout U.S. history. Representatives José E. Serrano (D-NY-15), Will Hurd (R-TX-23), and Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29) were the lead sponsors and cosponsors of the bill.
“Today, in a historic moment of bipartisan cooperation, Congress voted to advance the development of a National Latino Museum,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “Latinos have been an integral part of the success of America and, for too long, we have largely been overlooked and our contributions underappreciated. We need a Latino Museum not only for its symbolic significance but, more importantly, for its educational purpose. Now more than ever, the American people deserve to learn the history and heritage of Hispanic Americans. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues Representatives Serrano and Hurd and Senators Menendez and Cornyn on getting this passed, and I thank everyone who supported this bill.”
H.R. 2420, the National Museum of the American Latino Act, builds on nearly 20 years of work by advocates and members of Congress that laid the foundation for the establishment of a national museum to celebrate the history and countless contributions of American Latinos. The first Congressional bill was introduced in 2003 by former Reps. Xavier Becerra (D-CA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) to create a commission to study the feasibility of a future museum. In 2008, that legislation was signed into law and a 23-member commission was formed soon after. In May 2011, the Commission’s work culminated in a final report presented to President Barack Obama and Congressional leaders laying out a detailed plan for the establishment of a world-class museum on the National Mall.
H.R. 2420 would establish a Board of Trustees to help guide the Smithsonian’s creation of the museum. It would authorize a 50 percent federal match to privately raised dollars for design and construction costs. It would also authorize grants to strengthen and develop American Latino Museums around the country and assist students pursuing degrees in the fields of Latino history, arts, and culture. It has been modeled closely after legislation that successfully established the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and other museums within the Smithsonian Institution.
Latinos currently comprise 18 percent of the total U.S. population, a number expected to grow to more than 30 percent by 2060.Hispanic-Americans contribute more than $1.7 trillion to the United States economy, more than the GDP of all but the top 17 nations in the world. Hispanic-Americans serve in all branches of the military and have bravely fought in every war in the history of the United States. As of 2019, there are more than 200,000 Hispanic active duty service members of the Armed Forces, and there were approximately 1,200,000 Hispanic veterans of the Armed Forces, including, 136,000 Latinas. 60 Hispanic-Americans have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed on an individual serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.
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