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Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Statement on Announcement of the Board of Trustees for the National Museum of the American Latino

June 30, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the Smithsonian Board of Regents announced appointments to the Board of Trustees for the forthcoming National Museum of the American Latino. Earlier this year, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) voted to appoint CHC Member Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) to the board after he helped shepherd the National Museum of the American Latino Act through the House of Representatives during the 116th Congress. Following the announcement of the Board of Trustees, CHC Chair Dr. Ruiz and Rep. Cárdenas released the subsequent statements:

"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) celebrates the announcement of the Board of Trustees for the National Museum of the American Latino," said Chair Dr. Ruiz. "I am confident in the abilities of this diverse board, including CHC Member Congressman Tony Cárdenas, to represent our communities faithfully and guide the museum's vision in the right direction to establish a museum that will honor the history, culture, contributions, and accomplishments of Latino Americans to our nation. I thank them for their service and leadership."

"I'm excited to welcome this diverse group of amazing Latino leaders to the Latino Museum Board of Trustees," said Congressman Cárdenas. "At the heart of the American story are Latino stories, those of individuals, many of them immigrants, who encompass an unwavering spirit of perseverance and positive contributions. Each of these trustees bring the energy and experience needed to build one of the greatest museums this country has ever known. Soon, millions visiting Washington D.C. will be able to live, breathe and see how Latina and Latino stories are fundamental to the complete history of America. We have a lot of fun hard work ahead of us; we are going to make the dream of a long overdue National Latino Museum a reality. Adelante!"

The members appointed to the board of trustees are:

  • Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian (ex officio);
  • Kevin Gover, the Smithsonian's Under Secretary for Museums and Culture (ex officio);
  • Margarita Paláu-Hernández, chair of the Smithsonian National Latino Board;
  • Franklin D. Raines, member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents;
  • Raul A. Anaya, president of business banking for Bank of America;
  • José Andrés, restaurateur; chef and owner of ThinkFoodGroup; creator of World Central Kitchen;
  • Emilio Estefan, Grammy Award-winning musician, songwriter and TV producer; co-founder of the Gloria Estefan Foundation;
  • Rick Gomez, executive vice president and chief food and beverage officer for Target Corp;
  • Alberto Ibargüen, president and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; former publisher of the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald;
  • Eva Longoria, award-winning actor and producer; founder of the Eva Longoria Foundation;
  • Dr. J. Mario Molina, principal of JM Molina Investments; former CEO of Molina Healthcare;
  • Henry R. Muñoz III, chairman emeritus of Muñoz & Co.;
  • José Luis Prado, executive advisor partner with Wind Point Partners; former president of Quaker Oats North America;
  • Alfredo Rivera, president of Coca-Cola North America
  • Sofía Vergara, Emmy-nominated actress, television producer, presenter and model;
  • Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), appointed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; and
  • Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), appointed by the Congressional Hispanic Conference.

The board of trustees of the National Museum of the American Latino advises the Board of Regents and makes recommendations on the location, planning, design and construction of the museum; helps with fundraising; acquires artifacts; and provides for the maintenance of the collections.

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.