Good morning these subcommittee will now come to order, the subcommittees meeting to hear testimony on hr 20 4 20 yeah the National Museum of the american latino act. On, Committee Rule 4f, any Opening Statements and hearings are limited to the chair and ranking minority members. Therefore i ask unanimous consent that all of her members Opening Statements be made part of the hearing record if they are submitted to the course by 5 00 p. M. Today. The hearing no objections, so ordered. In addition to the broad interest in todays hearing i would like to ask unanimous consent and all interested members to join us and participate. And before we get started, i would like to take a point of personal privilege and have a moment of. For our friend, our colleague, defender of justice and equality, and humanity, mr. Elijah cummings. Thank you all so much. Thank you for attending the subcommittee on National Park forest and public land. Legislating hearing on the National Museum of the american latino act. A proposal i am proud to cosponsor along with over 200 of my colleagues. I would like to extend my gratitude to represent toronto, and sponsor and other members of congress joining us today to testify about half of this important legislation. I would also like to welcome our witnesses. Monday of whom have traveled a long way to speak to the personal and National Significance of this proposal. For over 500 years, latinos have played an Important Role in chasing the history culture and arts of this nation. In my home state of new mexico, the influences are innumerable contributions to American Culture and history, are often ignored by our history books. And unfortunately, monday stories of our countries rich and diverse the tino heritage, remain untold or forgotten over time. Hr 24206 to recognize and honor the countless contributions of latinos to our nation his history and culture by establishing the National Museum of the american latino with the Smithsonian Institution ensuring that the american latino sorry is preserved and shared. This spell presents us with an important opportunity to create a more inclusive and representative story of america by eliminating the diverse experiences of Latino Americans that have been overlooked for far is it too long. It is especially fitting that we consider this proposal today, is this tuesday marks the end of National Hispanic heritage month. A time when we celebrate our countries proud hispanic heritage and pay tribute to the numerous achievements of hispanic americans. Establishment of the First Permanent settlement in the United States in 1565, to the millions of latinos who have served our nation and the experiences of Latino Americans are woven into every aspect of american society. It is time that are National Institutions elevate the historically marginalized stories, of hispanic and Latino Americans and present a more inclusive and complete image of American History and society. And especially considering the increase in hateful rhetoric targeting Latino Community in recent years. Is we have seen with the National Museum of African Americans history and culture, and the National Museum of the american indian, the establishment of the Museum Dedicated to the experiences of the american latino, will provide americans and visitors from across the world with a deeper and richer understanding of the Diverse Voices that shape this nation. I would like to think in representative again for championing this important legislation as well is the witnesses for being here today. I look forward to hearing your testimony and i now recognize Ranking Member young for his opening statement. Thank you manager. Ive written statement i will submit to the record. I especially would like to thank mr. Ronald for honoring this bill. And primarily because you are an honorary, less than he served in fort rain right believe it was. For two years and he came back safely and i am complimenting him on that and you are doing a great job in this arena. So thank you sir. With that manager, i yelled back. Thank you mr. Young. Now i would like to turn to our first battle and welcome the members of congress who was to testify in the bills they have sponsored. On Committee Roles, oral statements are limited to five minutes you may submit a longer statement for the record if you choose. The live from you will turn yellow there is one minute left and read when time has expired. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from new york easter said ronna. Thank you so much for this opportunity Ranking Member young, and members of the subcommittee this is the start date for monday of this to a pop for this project. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of hr 2420 and the National Museum of the american latino. And thank you mr. Chairman young for reminding me of my face in alaska. Is a great place if you are puerto rican. The effort to establish 25 years ago when the smithsonian released niblett neglect and report it acknowledging lack of latino. The most significant step was the creation of the Latino Center in 1997. His work has monday exciting new opportunities. Part latino researchers. We could not stop there. In congress to begin the establishment 2008. President bush signed the registration including language forming the commission to study its creation. In 2011, the commission his final report to congress and president obama, and that there latino ms. Jim museum was necessary and feasible. And they laid out a roadmap to get us there. Its been over eight years since his release. Last year the policy and politics initiative, released a report mentioning the smithsonian his progress and found only three of its recommendations from the original report, have been addressed. That is why hr 2420 is critical. Hr 2420 will finally authorize the process that the create a Latino Museum by establishing a board of trustees and who will provide recommendations to the smithsonian board of regents. On the design and placement and construction and establishment of a future museum. It will include the diverse set of voices to ensure that all thoughts of the latino Latino Community is represented. The hr 20 4 20 will authorize smithsonian to undertake a campaign to raise half of the funds necessary to pay for hr 2420 also establishes educational Grant Programs to help bolster the work of Latino Museums across the country and provide Scholarship Opportunities for students studying in the fields of Latino History and arts and culture. To help train that talent and to keep his history alive well into the future passage. This bill will show that representation and inclusion matter. Latinos make up almost one fifth of our population. Where the largest and second Fastest Growing ethnic group. We have served every american war, that of basic significant contributions to the world of arts sports, music and sciences and beyond. From the American Revolution to the fight for civil rights, latinos have been on the frontlines of history. These stories, and heroes are often overlooked. But to design and to deny it is to unite with has made this great nation that we have. In 2021, the latino gallery, will open at the American History museum. We thank the leadership of the latino, for the set. Hundreds of years of history cannot be contained in 4500 square feet. These stories deserve a dedicated space of their own. And americas front yard. To tell the full story of the American Experience with latinos. I also want to acknowledge and thank my colleagues and republican holy, congressman of texas, they were here today and the led to republicans support this year. 219 cosponsors in tenting, this is the truly bipartisan effort. Thank you again especially for the chairman for being one of the latinos best champions. We have the momentum to get it done in the hundred and 16th. So is you know, ive a few seconds of here. Next year will be my katie assembly. When i was elected, nixon was president. Its been a long time. But if you want to give me a going away present that i will cherish forever. Give me a masao. Tuesday when i think about military, coming from territory when i think of the mexicanamericans who have given so much to this country throughout her wars. If democracy exists because of our latinos played a major role in keeping it alive. And they gave of themselves in the blood. Thank you so much. Thank you so much mr. Sana for that moving testimony. We are so happy you are here. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from texas mr. Castro. Thank you chairwoman. Ranking member young, chairman, and for putting this hearing today and especially my colleague for putting this work over the years forward. Creating a standalone National Museum of the american latino will allow us to celebrate the measurable contributions latinos have made to American History and share these accomplishments with visitors from across the u. S. And around the world. This museum has been in the works for quite a long time. In 1994, the Smithsonian Institution task force, published a report recommending the creation of a museum of the latino experience and including latinos at every every level of leadership. Mentation of inmate, ucla reported earlier this year and that the institution and since 1994 four, only for hispanics who served in the institutes leadership. This despite efforts, we still do not have Latino Museum. They make up almost 20 percent of the population in the United States. Nearly 60 million across all 50 states and territories. Including 11 million in my home state of texas. Latinos are defined decades of music and arts and sports and culture. Latinos have served our country in uniform across all branches of the military. Latinos let the organizers and activists who fought the for your workers rights and fair labor latinos helped build the economy practices. If helped build the economy, but our stories and our experiences in our contributions, have often been erased and left out of the writings of americans and this eraser is silencing and important invalidates the importance of our communities. We can change that, by establishing a National Museum of the american latinos. In the last 20 years, smithsonian has taken steps to increase representation diversity. On the national, my brothers and sisters and then native americans and africanamerican communities, museums marking their history. Their history. These museums are examples of success and can bring representation and pride to people of color. Unfortunately, we are leaving at a time when monday hispanic families are leaving in the shadows and in fear because of the antiimmigrant environment that is also affected u. S. Citizens of latino heritage. Now more than ever, it is critical that we tell the hispanic stories and celebrate is a family of immigrants. Everything i have today, is because of the sacrifices of mexico. Latinos are a community with a rich history of the United States. We stand strong and patriotic. Stand up for this country. Latinos contribute every day to our nation his economy and culture and arts. And our communities are instrumental to our nations history and character. Is congressman said, i would ask for the the congresses, support on his legislation. I yield back. Thank you so much. I like to know yield to chairman of the committee, mr. Grijalva,. Thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to think my colleagues, and dear friends, some who i will miss, for the wifes counsel and his speaking spanish want to acknowledge that and extend him by deep appreciation in terms of legacies that will be a very nice gift. Thank you. Thank you mr. Chairman. Thank the supporting members of congress for their valuable testimony. I invite now panel two to take their places at the table. Thank you so much for being here. I invite panel two to take the places at the witness table. As with the first panel oral statements are limited 25 minutes. But your entire statement will be part of the hearing record. The lights in front of you will turn yellow when there is one minute left and red when time has expired. After the witnesses have testified members, will be given the opportunity to ask questions. The chair now recognizes mr. Eduardo, diaz, director of the smithsonian tina center, you have five minutes. Thank you very much. Appreciate the opportunity. Thank you all of the national resources, thank you so much for the opportunity to testify today. Ive been the director since 2008, the center was created in 1997 to promote latino ensuring the contributions of the latino communities are exported presented is audiences we will have two be more sensible and more diverse. Legal part of this work is two include underrepresented his stories. I appreciate the opportunity two testify before you on hr 2420 and a bill american latino. Based on the success of the national indian, and africanAmerican History culture, we know that the public is best served when they see American History arts and culture and scientific achievements, through different lenses. If congress deemed in the public interest, to create a Latino Museum, the smithsonian would build one of worthy of world operation. In the meantime, we will continue two work diligently two tell a broader and more complete narrative with the resources already at our disposal. The commitment two secure additional resources. For the work of the Latino Center, we are experiencing unprecedented exhibitions increases in the number of community. Currently we are trying two unveil the firstever Latino Museum on the national mall, in the gallery, which will open in the National Museum of American History in the fall of 2021. This 4500 squarefoot gallery will support exhibitions detailing the complexities of the experiences and 4 million annual visitors two the museum. Will will present stories and identity in immigration entrepreneurship and success two millions of diverse generational audiences have a couple of slides here. Also his of the gallery. The next slide please is the case telling history, and the foresight is the last one and its dedicated educational phase in the back of the gallery. Be at 35 in april we will be at 65 so we are moving closer two the percentages it takes two get two the 99 percent of the hundred percent of the design. You will see a little difference in the final product. I wanted to show these two you two give you an idea of where we are headed. The latina pool, established federal funds in 1995, the center makes possible a diverse array of research and Public Programs professional opportunities. 2019, the pool supported 24 Smithsonian Museums and other offices in total through the pool, we have supported over 27 million for the numerous latino projects. We thank Congress Questions of public educational expertise and have established programs for future latina musician elements that will be needed to build and staff the museum. The Latino Center has been dedication dedicated to increase the latino population we will continue to build collections, curators, public Educational Programs support musical recordings and engage in scholarly research, dialog, collaborate and take the necessary steps to ensure that the latino story is presented as an integral part of the american story. For its continued support of these programs. An good morning and thank you for having me. I am stephen professor of american migration at miele. I am also past member of the park in the past chair communities. I about the opportunity in the past to work closely with the curators of the smithsonian i thought to yale courses on how Yale University presents American History to the. Public i would underscore that Latino History is American History and any serious attempt interpret over the past 500 years requires serious engagement with latino experiences tearing latino. This is hardly controversial among scholars and academics who teach, research or write history for living. The central importance that American History. Recognized for decades for academic association, publishers of books and journals, museum prof