House passes bill to study the feasibility of creating a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture
The House has unanimously passed a bill (H.R. 2525) to establish a commission that will study the feasibility and potential creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. The bill was sponsored and introduced by Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY).
“AAPIs are the fastest growing ethnic group in America, and the contributions of this community have shaped our nation’s infrastructure, economy, culture, and so much more. We must never forget that API history is also American history,” said Rep. Meng.
Congressman Andy Kim (D-NJ) also spoke on the debate floor, saying, “The contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to this great nation have been enormous. The history of AAPIs is rich. But this history is rarely, rarely talked about. The contributions often go unknown or unrecognized. I’m often asked about how someone can learn about AAPI history, and admittedly, I don’t know as much as I should. Now more than ever, with the rise in hate crimes like the Atlanta shootings and other acts of violence in New York City and throughout the country, we keep hearing this phrase, ‘You don’t belong here.’ I’ve heard that throughout my life and sadly, my two little boys, four years old and six years old, have already heard hurtful words that have labeled them ways they don’t yet understand. Like many, I don’t want my kids to understand who they are through sources of hate and discrimination. I want them to feel pride, pride in who they are, pride in AAPIs, and pride in our place in this nation. Our story isn’t just an Asian American story, it’s an American story. The history isn’t just Asian American history, it’s American history. And this history isn’t just for AAPIs to learn, it’s for all of us. Together, through learning, we can come together creating greater understanding, a closer knit community, celebrating the richness of this nation.”
According to the bill, the commission must
Report recommendations for a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture in the District of Columbia;
Develop a fundraising plan to support the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the museum through public contributions;
Obtain an independent review of this fundraising plan, including an analysis of the resources necessary to fund the construction of the museum and its operations and maintenance in perpetuity without reliance on federal funds
Submit a legislative plan of action to establish and construct the museum.
The commission will also work with the Smithsonian Institution to develop criteria for evaluating possible locations for the museum in Washington, DC and understand the feasibility of the museum becoming part of the Smithsonian Institution.
The eight-member commission will have 18 months to report its findings to Congress and the President.
