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WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Charles B. Rangel proudly joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives as they unanimously passed a bill that would lay the groundwork for the creation of a national Latino Museum.
"Latino culture has been an important part of this land and this hemisphere for more than 500 years," said Congressman Rangel of the bill. "The passage of this bill is just one step towards correction a long-overdue omission, an institution that will hopefully serve to educate all Americans of the history and accomplishments of those of Latin American descent."
HR 512, also known as The Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of American Latino Heritage Act, would create a 23-member commission that would organize a national conference to examine the viability of the museum. The conference would also explore different fundraising strategies as part of a final recommended plan of action for Congress.
"We cannot possibly move forward as a nation if we don't respect our neighbors enough to know their own American journey," said Rangel. "This bill today is as much a testament to all those who worked hard to build this land, as it is a celebration of the multicultural reality that we need to embrace to compete in an increasingly global world.
HR 512 now moves onto the Senate, where an accompanying bill has been introduced by Senators Ken Salazar (CO), Mel Martinez (FL), Robert Menendez (NJ), and 20 other cosponsors.
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