Amidst Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Meng & Schumer Announce Senate Passage of Legislation to Establish a Congressional Commission on the Creation of First National Asian American History & Culture Museum
May 19, 2022
Today, U.S. Representative Grace Meng and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer announced the Senate passage of H.R.3525 by unanimous consent. The legislation establishes a commission to study the potential creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. Congresswoman Meng championed the bill during several sessions of Congress, testified about the legislation before two Committees, and led it to passage in the House of Representatives last month.
"I am overjoyed that the Senate has unanimously passed my AAPI Museum Study bill," said Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY). "Last month, my House colleagues voted to unanimously pass the legislation, and I am thrilled it now heads to President Biden's desk to be signed into law. AAPI's have been a part of America's fabric and growth for generations, and this bill brings us one step closer to a physical museum where AAPI history, culture, and contributions to this nation would be displayed and preserved for future generations. As we reflect on our past, celebrate our present excellence, and dream of our future during this Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, this bill provides an opportunity to showcase the importance of telling our full and diverse American story in a national museum. Thank you to Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Hirono for their advocacy and support in passing this bill through the Senate in such a short time. I could think of no better way of closing out AAPI Heritage Month than having this legislation signed into law by President Biden!"
"I am elated to support and to have fought for this long-overdue step on the road to establish a great national museum dedicated solely to telling the story of Asian Americans throughout history," said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. "From the beginning of our founding, Asian Americans have played a great role in shaping the country. They have worked hard, grown families, established businesses, made America better, and they continue to do so. Too much of their history is unknown and many students never come across these stories and lessons in school. That is disappointing, but it is also why this Asian Pacific American History and Culture Museum is so important, to show the greatness of the Asian American community—past, present and future. An Asian Pacific American History and Culture Museum would celebrate those achievements with all Americans and exalt our wonderful, growing, strong, beautiful Asian American community."
The "Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act" would create a commission of eight individuals with various expertise in museum planning or Asian Pacific American history and culture to examine the feasibility of establishing, maintaining, funding and operating such a facility in the nation's capital, possibly as part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. which is the world's largest museum and research complex.
A copy of the bill and additional details about the measure can be viewed here.