TheWeekInCongress.com
Week Ending June 4, 2004
S 1233 National Great Black Americans Commemoration Act of 2003.
BRIEF
The bill would direct the Attorney General to act through the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice and make a grant to the Great Blacks in Wax Museum, Inc., to pay up to 25 percent of the costs of expanding its existing facilities to create the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and Justice Learning Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
Sponsor: Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Vote: Passed House by voice vote. Passed Senate by unanimous consent
Cost to the taxpayer: $15 million.
MORE INFORMATION
In the words of the bill’s sponsor, Senator Barbara Mikulski, “This bill will honor African American leaders from across the country--some who are well known, and others who are almost forgotten--by helping to preserve their names, faces, and stories for generations to come.”
“This legislation will provide Federal assistance to expand exhibits and educational programs at the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and Justice Learning Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The museum showcases the lives of great Black Americans who have proudly served the United States--from civil servants like Mary McLeod Bethune, to military heroes like Colin Powell, to Congressional leaders like Senator Edward Brooke (R-MA), and civil rights leaders like Rosa Parks. Some are household names, like Frederick Douglass and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Yet many more are unfamiliar, like the 22 African Americans who served in Congress in the 1800s. It's time we give these pioneers the recognition they deserve.”
“Maryland is proud to be home to so many important figures in black history. From the dark days of slavery through the civil rights movement, Marylanders have led the way. The brilliant Frederick Douglas was the voice of the voiceless in the struggle against slavery. The courageous Harriet Tubman delivered 300 slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad. The great Thurgood Marshall argued the Brown v. Board of Education Case before the Supreme Court, and later became a Supreme Court Justice himself.”
“Maryland is home to contemporary leaders, too. The dynamic Kweisi Mfume, president of the NAACP, who, like me, came out of the Baltimore City Council. The passionate Elijah Cummings, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Clarence Mitchell who was called by many the 101st Senator. Parren Mitchell and Al Wynn, fighting for their constituents. And all the members of the NAACP, which calls Baltimore home.”
“It is fitting that the national Great Blacks in Wax Museum and Justice Learning Center also calls Baltimore home. The museum and learning center is a popular and respected black history museum. Approximately 300,000 people a year from around the country and the world visit the museum. Many are school children, who can see historical figures come to life in the museum's exhibits. Expansion will allow the museum to teach even more visitors about the important contributions of Black Americans. It will also help revitalize a poor neighborhood in East Baltimore. There will be new jobs. There will be more tourists. There will be new small businesses. And most important, there will be new inspiration for our young people.”
“The State of Maryland and City of Baltimore have already contributed over $5 million toward this expansion project. Private donors are contributing too. Now it's time for the Federal Government to do its part. Let's help make this museum a treasure for the entire Nation.”
Senator Mikulski noted that the State of Maryland and Baltimore City are contributing $5 million in addition to funds donated by private donors.## All Rights Reserved, No reproduction or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com