Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – At a press conference, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (TX) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Representatives Will Hurd (TX-23), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) to announce the reintroduction of their legislation, the National Museum of the American Latino Act, which would authorize the Smithsonian Institution to create a museum honoring American Latinos.
“American Latino history and culture is woven throughout the fabric of our country,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Nearly 40 percent of all Texans identify as Hispanic, and I’m proud to partner with Senator Menendez in the fight to honor their contributions by establishing a new museum in the Smithsonian Institution.”
Background:
The National Museum of the American Latino Act builds on nearly 16 years’ worth of work in laying the foundation for the establishment of a future museum. In 2003, the first Congressional bill was introduced to study the creation of a museum. In 2008, with Presidential and Congressional leadership, a 23-member Commission was established to study the viability of a museum. In 2011, the Commission’s work culminated in a final report that detailed that the creation of a museum on the National Mall was indeed feasible. In 2019, this legislation will act on the Commission’s report and put into motion the process of establishing a Latino Museum, similar to those that established other Smithsonian museums.
Senators Capito (R-WV), Feinstein (D-CA), Rubio (R-FL), Harris (D-CA), Portman (R-OH), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Booker (D-NJ) and McSally (R-AZ) are cosponsors of the legislation.
