Congressional Hispanic Caucus Statement on Historic House Passage of National Museum of the American Latino Act
Washington, D.C. —Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2420, the National Museum of the American Latino Act, led by co-sponsors Rep. José E. Serrano (D-NY-15), Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX-23). Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12); Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD-5); Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29); Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ-3), Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources; Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA-31), CHC member of the Committee on House Administration, were all instrumental to the bill's consideration and passage. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after the historic passage of National Museum of the American Latino Act:
"Today's House passage of H.R. 2420 represents a historic step towards securing a new home for the Latino story to be told. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus eagerly welcomes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum on the National Mall to showcase Latino history, art, and culture, and applaud passage of H.R. 2420," said Congressman Joaquin Castro, Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
"Spanish was the first non-native language to be spoken in the United States. Latinos have fought in every U.S. war. Food and music from Latin America are enjoyed in every American city. American Latinos are parents, veterans, teachers, activists, innovators, artists, scientists, business owners, immigrants, patriots and so much more. Right now, Latinos are disproportionately represented among the essential workers keeping America safe, fed, and running during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. The Latino story is an American story, and our history is a central thread in the history of our nation," added Chairman Castro.
"Now, more than ever, America's Latinos deserve to have our story told and our voices to be heard. There will be no better place for that than the National Museum of the American Latino that this bill will help establish. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is proud to join this bipartisan effort to leave a lasting legacy for generations of American Latinos who will see their culture, art, and history celebrated in the heart of our nation's capital," concluded Chairman Castro.
###
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.