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Managing America

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Week Ending February 9, 2006

H.R.512 To establish the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of the National Museum of the American Latino to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, DC, and for other purposes.

{An identical bill from the same sponsor passed the House last year but was not considered in the Senate.}

A commission would be established to study the potential creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community and develop a plan to establish and maintain the facility in Washington, D.C.

Fundraising plans to support and maintain a museum through donations and a separate plan would be included that would raise funds through Latino community donations.

Location, impact on other area museums, should it be part of the Smithsonian how would the museum be governed and how to engage the Latino community in development and design would be included in a report by the 23 member commission. Seven members would be appointed by the president, and three each would come from the Speaker of the House and Senate and House majority and minority leaders. Four non-voting members would be appointed.

Appointees are to have expertise in museum administration, fundraising for cultural institutions, experience in study and teaching of Latino culture and history at a post-secondary level, experience in public or elected service.

Sponsor:  Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA-31^st)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote February 6, 2007.

Cost to the taxpayers: $3.2 million for the Commission’s expenses.

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SEC. 3. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION.

(a) Plan of Action for Establishment and Maintenance of Museum- The Commission shall submit a report to the President and the Congress containing its recommendations with respect to a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, DC (hereafter in this Act referred to as the `Museum').

(b) Fundraising Plan- The Commission shall develop a fundraising plan for supporting the creation and maintenance of the Museum through contributions by the American people, and a separate plan on fundraising by the American Latino community.

(c) Report on Issues- The Commission shall examine (in consultation with the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution), and submit a report to the President and the Congress on, the following issues:

(1) The availability and cost of collections to be acquired and housed in the Museum.

(2) The impact of the Museum on regional Hispanic- and Latino-related museums.

(3) Possible locations for the Museum in Washington, DC and its environs, to be considered in consultation with the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, the Department of the Interior and Smithsonian Institution.

(4) Whether the Museum should be located within the Smithsonian Institution.

(5) The governance and organizational structure from which the Museum should operate.

(6) How to engage the American Latino community in the development and design of the Museum.

(7) The cost of constructing, operating, and maintaining the Museum.

(d) Legislation to Carry Out Plan of Action- Based on the recommendations contained in the report submitted under subsection (a) and the report submitted under subsection (c), the Commission shall submit for consideration to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, the Committees on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate recommendations for a legislative plan of action to create and construct the Museum.

(e) National Conference- In carrying out its functions under this section, the Commission may convene a national conference on the Museum, comprised of individuals committed to the advancement of American Latino life, art, history, and culture, not later than 18 months after the commission members are selected.