John lewis people may not know that he is responsible for john lewis was one of the major pushers who achieved the construction of the Smithsonian National museum of africanamerican history and culture. From the smithsonian archives, im going to read a little to you from what the smithsonian says john lewis did to get that museum up. 1998, new bills were introduced annually in congress by representative john lewis to create a national africanamerican Heritage Museum and memorial within the smithsonian institution. 1991, a smithsonian Blueribbon Commission recommended the creation of a National Museum devoted to africanamericans to clutch their to collect, analyze, research, and organize exhibitions on a scale and definition that matched the major museums devoted to other aspects of american life. Thecommission recommended museum be temporarily located in the arts and industrials Industries Building until a new, larger facility could be built, but the legislation stalled amid androversy
That evening. On behalf of this Smithsonian National museum of africanamericanhistory and culture , welcome to a fools errand book to her. A conversation with secretary lonnie bunch and ali. Please welcome to the stage interim director of the National Museum of africanAmerican History and culture , doctor spencer crew. [applause] that evening. What a wonderful crowd. Its good to see this talk filled with so many people and were glad to haveyou here. I thank you for that introduction. Its my pleasure to be here and to welcome you into our building to welcome you here on behalf of all the staff and all of you connected with the National Museum of africanAmerican History. Happy third anniversary. Its a great day for the museum, but its a great day that never would have happened without the help of all of you in this audience. Supporting us and encouraging us as we move forward. Several months ago, about 90 days ago. I was actually working as a professor at george mason university. I thoug
Really understands. Its a great combination of things. This is the fourth position secretary bunch has had at the smithsonian. Something i dont believe any of your predecessors could claim in 1978 secretary bunch began his smithsonian career at the national air and space museum as an Education Specialist 11 years later he joined the National Museum of American History. He most recently served as the founding director of the National Museum of African American history and culture. As the founding director he led an 11 year effort in constructing the 400,000 squarefoot museum and helping raise the matching publicprivate private funds that match public funds and came up with the museum that tells an incredibly powerful story of that part of our history. And a lot of our history. Congress established the smithsonian in 1846 through uppercrust by a british scientist James Smithson who never visited the United States but he generously left his estate to the United States government to found
Institution testified on Museum Programs and operations. Before the senate rules and administration committee. Secretary bunch outlined his priorities for the institution and efforts to reduce the maintenance backlog. Committee on rules and administration will be called to order. Good morning. I want to thank my colleagues for attending, and before i get any further, thank secretary bunch for bringing some of their great collection for us to look at. But mr. Secretary, were glad to have you, and several people from your team here to back you up if you need it. But im confident youll be able to be the man at the microphone there. This is your First Official appearance before the senate rules committee. Were grateful to have you with us. Secretary bunchs appointment is historic in a number of ways. Hes the first African American secretary to lead the Smithsonian Institution as well as the first Museum Director who was then later appointed secretary in at least in around 75 years. Hes a h
Errand book tour. A conversation with secretary Lonnie G Bunche and scott kelly. Please welcome to the state interim director of the National Museum of africanAmerican History and culture, after spencer crew. Good evening. What a wonderful crowd, its terrific to see this hall filled with so many people and were glad to have you here. I thank you forthe introduction. Is my pleasure to be here and to welcome you into our building to welcome you here on behalf of all the staff and all of you connected with the nationalmuseum of africanAmerican History and culture. The third anniversary. Its a great day for the museum but its a great day that never would have happened without the help of all of you in this audience. Encouraging us as we went forward. Now, several months ago about 90 days ago, i was happily working as a professor at george masonuniversity. I thought i was going to finish my career there. But what happened was i got a phone call, a phone call from a then director of the Nati