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April 26,
2007
Contact:
Tatiana Guerra
202-434-8070
NHCSL Calls For Support
Of The National Museum Of The American Latino
Community Commission Act Of 2007
Washington,
DC – Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (NY), president of
the National Hispanic Caucus of State
Legislators (NHCSL), today sent a letter in
support of the National Museum of the American
Latino Community Commission Act of 2007, to
Senator Ken Salazar (CO). The text of the letter
is as follows:
The Honorable Ken Salazar
702 Senate Hart Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senator Salazar,
On behalf of the National Hispanic Caucus of
State Legislators (NHCSL),
I am writing to thank you for introducing the
National Museum of the American Latino Community
Commission Act of 2007 (S 500). As you may know,
NHCSL is a nonpartisan 501(c) 3 nonprofit
organization representing the interests of more
than 300 Hispanic state legislators from all
states, commonwealths, and territories of the
United States. (www.nhcsl.org)
NHCSL offers its strong and unqualified support
of this legislation which will establish a
federal commission to explore the viability of
creating the “National Museum of the American
Latino” in Washington, DC.
The lack of a Latino-focused institution located
at the National Mall has long been of great
concern to the Latino community. As you know,
some of the most significant museums in our
country sideline the National Mall between the
United States Capitol and the Washington
Monument. These museums purport to reflect the
history, culture, and achievements of the people
of the United States. Yet scarcely do any of the
permanent exhibits in these museums represent
the American Latino community’s role in the
history and culture of this country.
Even with the many challenges and opportunities
facing the Latino community, the importance of
proper representation of Latinos and their
contributions in our nation’s foremost cultural
institution cannot be underestimated. For
example, Latino children visiting our nation’s
capital have no place to point to with pride as
commemorating the Latino presence in this
country. Just as troubling is that millions of
schoolchildren and families as well as tourists
from all over the world can visit Washington, DC
without ever encountering a single museum,
monument, or collection that helps to educate
them about this nation’s largest minority.
Recent experience clearly demonstrates that the
virtual invisibility of the history,
contributions, and status of the Latino
community to most of their fellow Americans is
no longer tenable.
Immediate passage of S 500 is a critical first
step to remedying this unfortunate situation and
creating an institution devoted to the research
and study of American Latino life, art, history,
and culture. Once again, we appreciate your
leadership and look forward to working with you
on advancing this historic effort. Should you
have any questions please call me at
202-434-8070.
Sincerely,
Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz (NY)
NHCSL President
cc Representative Xavier Becerra (CA)
The NHCSL is the premier national association of
Hispanic state legislators working to design and
implement policies and procedures that will
improve the quality of life for Hispanics
throughout the country. NHCSL was founded in
1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3 with
the mission to be the most effective voice for
the more than 300 Hispanic legislators. For more
information visit
www.nhcsl.org.
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