Sen. Cruz: A Museum Recognizing & Celebrating the Contributions of American Latinos Will Inspire All Americans to Reach New Heights

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) yesterday voted in the Senate Rules Committee in favor of The National Museum of the American Latino Act, legislation authorizing the Smithsonian Institution to establish a museum honoring American Latinos.

Following the vote, Sen. Cruz, a cosponsor of the legislation, said:

"A museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating American Latino history and culture would go a long way in recognizing the contributions Latinos and Latinas made to our great country. For generations, American Latinos have selflessly served in our military, achieved the American Dream, and contributed to our nation's economic prosperity, while enriching our nation's diverse identity. Not only would this museum celebrate the contributions of American Latinos - it would also broaden our understanding of 21st-century America.

"Trailblazing American Latinos from Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman to travel to outer space, to my friend and former Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress, to Dr. Lauro Cavazos, the first Hispanic to serve in a presidential cabinet, have all etched their legacies into our nation's history and will inspire future generations to achieve new heights. As a Cuban-American, I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation and am pleased it includes protections of conservative viewpoints to ensure American Latinos of all backgrounds and political beliefs are portrayed and celebrated. I am grateful for my colleagues' support on this effort and look forward to passing it out of the Senate this year."

BACKGROUND

The National Museum of the American Latino Act, introduced by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), builds on nearly 17 years' worth of work in laying the foundation for the establishment of a future museum. In 2003, the first Congressional bill was introduced to study the creation of a museum. In 2008, with Presidential and Congressional leadership, a 23-member Commission was established to study the viability of a museum. In 2011, the Commission's work culminated in a final report that detailed that the creation of a museum on the National Mall was indeed feasible. In 2020, this legislation will act on the Commission's report and put into motion the process of establishing a Latino Museum, similar to those that established other Smithsonian museums.

Full text of the bill may be viewed here.

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