House Passes Meng Legislation Seeking to Establish First National Asian Pacific American Museum

Press Release

As the nation prepares to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the United States House of Representatives this afternoon passed legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) that seeks to create the first national museum dedicated to preserving the history, culture, and accomplishments of Asian Pacific Americans.

The bipartisan bill passed unanimously by voice vote, and now heads to the U.S. Senate.

Entitled the "Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act," Meng's bill 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.

"For the last seven years, I have worked to push this legislation through Congress, and I am thrilled that it has finally passed out of the House of Representatives," said Congresswoman Meng, the First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. "Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been pivotal in contributing to the growth and prosperity of our nation since its founding. We have helped make the United States the greatest country in the world, but unfortunately many remain unaware of the crucial role we've played throughout our history. It's time for that to change and creating a national museum would ensure there is a physical space to commemorate and share our story with future generations. Over my Congressional career, we have seen the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened, and I have been proud to stand by my colleagues as we passed legislation to create a National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women's History Museum. But never before has a bill like this, that seeks to advance the history and culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through a national museum, been approved by the House, and I'm honored to champion this effort. Our achievements, history, and experiences are American as everybody else's, and we must recognize that the narrative of the Asian Pacific American community is woven into our greater American story. I am excited that we are one step closer to this bill becoming law, and one step closer to a national museum filled with our Asian Pacific American history being established."

"I was proud to bring Rep. Meng's bill to the House Floor and join in supporting this legislation to study the creation of a national museum to preserve and teach the history of Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in our country," said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer. "America has become a home to a great diversity of people and communities, all of which have brought a richness of traditions that enhance our nation and make us stronger. Their stories are deeply ingrained in the American story, and our history cannot be told in full without including their voices, perspectives, and contributions. Rep. Meng, along with her colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, has been such a steadfast advocate for Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities throughout her time in office, and I know that she will continue to be so for a long time to come. I congratulate her on this achievement and look forward to joining her and so many others to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May."

The Congresswoman's measure would require the commission it establishes to:

Report recommendations for a plan of action on the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture;

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 without reliance on federal funds;

Report on the availability and cost of acquiring collections for the museum, identify potential locations for the facility in Washington, D.C., and determine its regional impact on other related museums; and

Submit to Congress a legislative plan of action on whether to and how to establish and construct the museum.

The legislation would also direct the commission's recommendations to address whether the museum should be part of the Smithsonian Institution. The commission would have 18 months to complete the full study and its members would be appointed by the House Speaker, Senate Majority Leader, House Minority Leader and Senate Minority Leader.

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