Washington, D.C. – Below is a letter sent by a bipartisan group of Senators, including
Nevada Senator Harry Reid, asking the Senate Appropriations Committee to fully fund
the Commission to study the potential creation of the National Museum of the American
Latino. The bill to authorize this commission was signed into law last week.
May 15, 2008
The Honorable Robert C. Byrd
Chairman
Senate Committee on Appropriations
S-131, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
Chairman
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Senate Committee on Appropriations
131 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Thad Cochran
Ranking Member
Senate Committee on Appropriations
S-146A, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Wayne Allard
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Senate Committee on Appropriations
125 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Chairmen Byrd and Feinstein and Ranking Members Cochran and Allard:
We write to request that a Commission to study the potential creation of the National
Museum of the American Latino be fully funded at $2.1 million in Fiscal Year 2009 to
carry out its function. Language to create the Commission, originally within S. 500, was
included in the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (S. 2739), which passed the
Senate on April 10, 2008 and the House of Representatives on April 29, 2008. President
Bush signed the bill into law on March 8, 2008.
The Commission would help us determine how we can properly recognize
the contributions of Hispanic Americans to our nation’s history by studying the potential
creation of a national museum dedicated to the art, culture, and the story of Hispanic
Americans. Latinos have been part of American history for more than 400 years.
Hispanics founded some of the oldest cities in the U.S., such as St. Augustine, Florida in
1565 and Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1598. Hispanic Americans bravely fought in every
war in U.S.history, including the American Revolution, and more than 80,000 Hispanics
served in the Vietnam War. While Hispanics comprised only 4.5% of the U.S.
population at the time of the Vietnam War, they represented 5.5% of those who made the
ultimate sacrifice for their country. Today, more than 44 million Hispanics are a part of
our rich social fabric.
The Commission would study the impact of the potential museum and the cost of
construction and maintenance. It would also develop an action plan, a fundraising plan,
and a recommendation on whether to proceed with construction of the museum. The
Commission would be comprised of leaders, selected by the President and Congress, with
a commitment to the American Latino community and with experience planning for and
the administration of similar museums.
When Americans travel to Washington, D.C., they expect the museums, monuments, and
national parks to reflect the complete American experience. Providing the resources
necessary for the Commission to do its work would be a major step toward ensuring that
every American has the opportunity to learn the full history of our nation.
Sincerely,
Senators:
Salazar
Menendez
Martinez
Reid
Bingaman
Kennedy
Obama
Clinton
Domenici
Boxer
Durbin
Lautenberg
Schumer
Kerry
Biden
