After nearly three decades of work toward the dream of a National Museum of the American Latino, a recently signed law will make that dream a reality.
The law puts into motion the creation of a museum that will honor the 500 years of history of Latino people in the United States.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas released a statement Monday, praising the legislation that he had pushed for years.
“For decades, Texans have advocated for greater representation of American Latino stories in our nation’s capital, and I’m proud to announce that together, we have ensured the National Museum of the American Latino will become a reality,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Because the President has signed my bill into law, future generations that travel to Washington will be able to learn about the incredible American Latinos who helped build this nation.”
Governor Gavin Newsom’s selection of Alex Padilla, a Pacoima-raised son of working-class Mexican immigrants, to represent California in the U.S. Senate is being celebrated by many Latino and Latina leaders. One in three residents of California identifies as Latino or Hispanic, but he will be the first Latino to ever represent the state in the Senate.
“Alex is a role model to so many Latino youth in our state, and I know that his appointment as our senator will show every Latino child that anything is possible in our nation,” Lucille Roybal-Allard, who represents portions of East and South Los Angeles in Congress, told NBC News.
UpdatedWed, Dec 23, 2020 at 5:16 pm ET
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Congress approved a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill that includes a $900 billion coronavirus relief package. Many of the items in the massive spending deal have nothing to do with the pandemic, though. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
WASHINGTON, DC A flurry of end-of-the-year lobbying filled the nearly 5,600-page, $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill with pork that has little to do with helping out the millions of Americans living on the edge or shoring up the economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic.
The bill approved Monday by Congress and awaiting President Donald Trump s signature or veto does include $900 billion in coronavirus relief funds. But it also includes some other things that may come as a surprise.
Smithsonian
Originally published on December 22, 2020 11:56 am
The creation of new Smithsonian museums dedicated to Latinos and women can now move forward. Earlier this month, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) was the lone vote blocking legislation, saying separate-but-equal museums would further divide an already divided nation. Supporters of both museums quickly moved to ensure the museums would be included in the $900 billion year-end spending package which was passed by Congress on Monday and now heads to President Trump s desk. We have overcome tremendous obstacles and unbelievable hurdles to get to this historic moment, but, as I ve said before, Latinos are used to overcoming obstacles. - Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
The Smithsonian Institution can start the process of building two new museums in Washington honoring the history of women and American Latinos after Congress cleared a massive year-end omnibus bill.
Separate bills authorizing both museums passed the House this year as stand-alone measures but were unable to get through the Senate, so they were added to the omnibus to provide for easier passage.
The omnibus measure, passed by Congress on Monday, is a 5,593-page collection of bills, including fiscal 2021 appropriations, coronavirus relief and extraneous measures. The latter included the two bills authorizing the Smithsonian to build a Women’s History Museum and a National Museum of the American Latino.