U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bill to Establish First National AAPI Museum

Photo Courtesy of Rep. Grace Meng

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the nation prepares to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the United States House of Representatives this afternoon passed legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) that seeks to create the first national museum dedicated to preserving the history, culture, and accomplishments of Asian Pacific Americans. The bipartisan bill passed unanimously by voice vote, and now heads to the U.S. Senate. Entitled the “Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act,” Meng’s bill would create a commission of eight individuals with various expertise in museum planning or Asian Pacific American history and culture to examine the feasibility of establishing, maintaining, funding and operating such a facility in the nation’s capital, possibly as part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. which is the world’s largest museum and research complex. “For the last seven years, I have worked to push this legislation through Congress, and I am thrilled that it has finally passed out of the House of Representatives,” said Congresswoman Meng, the First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been pivotal in contributing to the growth and prosperity of our nation since its founding. We have helped make the United States the greatest country in the world, but unfortunately many remain unaware of the crucial role we’ve played throughout our history. It’s time for that to change and creating a national museum would ensure there is a physical space to commemorate and share our story with future generations. Over my Congressional career, we have seen the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened, and I have been proud to stand by my colleagues as we passed legislation to create a National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women’s History Museum. But never before has a bill like this, that seeks to advance the history and culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through a national museum, been approved by the House, and I’m honored to champion this effort. Our achievements, history, and experiences are American as everybody else’s, and we must recognize that the narrative of the Asian Pacific American community is woven into our greater American story. I am excited that we are one step closer to this bill becoming law, and one step closer to a national museum filled with our Asian Pacific American history being established.” “I was proud to bring Rep. Meng’s bill to the House Floor and join in supporting this legislation to study the creation of a national museum to preserve and teach the history of Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in our country,” said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer. “America has become a home to a great diversity of people and communities, all of which have brought a richness of traditions that enhance our nation and make us stronger. Their stories are deeply ingrained in the American story, and our history cannot be told in full without including their voices, perspectives, and contributions. Rep. Meng, along with her colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, has been such a steadfast advocate for Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities throughout her time in office, and I know that she will continue to be so for a long time to come. I congratulate her on this achievement and look forward to joining her and so many others to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May.” The Congresswoman’s measure would require the commission it establishes to:

• Report recommendations for a plan of action on the establishment and maintenance of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture;

• Develop a fundraising plan to support the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the museum through public contributions;

• Obtain an independent review of this fundraising plan, including an analysis of the resources necessary to fund the construction of the museum and its operations and maintenance without reliance on federal funds;

• Report on the availability and cost of acquiring collections for the museum, identify potential locations for the facility in Washington, D.C., and determine its regional impact on other related museums; and

• Submit to Congress a legislative plan of action on whether to and how to establish and construct the museum.

The legislation would also direct the commission’s recommendations to address whether the museum should be part of the Smithsonian Institution. The commission would have 18 months to complete the full study and its members would be appointed by the House Speaker, Senate Majority Leader, House Minority Leader and Senate Minority Leader. In addition to championing the bill during the last several sessions of Congress, Meng has testified about her legislation before two Committees. First in February 2020 before the House Administration Committee, and the second time in December 2021 in front of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. Late last year, Meng also called for the Chair of the Natural Resources Committee to make her bill the first measure that the panel takes up in 2022. Meng’s legislation passed with 120 cosponsors including Democrats and Republicans. A copy of the bill and additional details about the measure can be viewed here. “I am thrilled that the House today voted to pass CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng’s bill creating a commission to study the potential creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture,” said Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). “This is a necessary step in the process towards establishing the first national museum dedicated to preserving the history and culture of our communities. A museum that is dedicated to telling the story of our communities as part of American history not only helps educate our country about our accomplishments and struggles, but showing how our history IS American history is a powerful tool to combat anti-Asian hate and xenophobia. I thank CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Meng for her leadership and Speaker Pelosi for bringing this bill to a vote today, and I urge the Senate to swiftly act on moving this legislation forward.” “America is more diverse and more multiracial than ever before, and the story of AAPI’s and Latinos alike are interwoven within the history of America,” said Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz. “By establishing a commission to study the feasibility and potential creation of a museum dedicated to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs), we take a critical step forward in recognizing the immeasurable contributions the AANHPI community have made to our nation. That is why the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) was proud to endorse H.R. 3525 establishing a Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. It is of the utmost importance to share our stories with the world, celebrate our heritages, and honor our accomplishments.” “In the face of the continued harm inflicted on Asian Americans by hatred and ignorance, knowledge and understanding is the best balm,” said Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director of the Asian American Federation. “We believe along with Rep. Grace Meng, that a National Museum of AAPI History and Culture will help us learn from and celebrate our history, present a perspective that will help Americans bridge division, and lead to greater empathy among diverse races. We are happy to wholeheartedly endorse establishing a commission to study the creation and viability of such an endeavor.” “The passage of this bill is an important first step in recognizing the history and lived experiences of AAPI communities,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC. “Our communities have long faced exclusion—from history curricula in the classroom to the recognition that our communities are integral to the fabric of American society. Creating a national resource and institution dedicated to public education of Asian American and Pacific Islander histories is critical to building a more inclusive future.” Meng’s legislation is endorsed by many organizations including: the Asian American Federation, Chinese-American Planning Council, Advancing Justice | AAJC, Korean American Family Service Center, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, UnidosUS, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, Japanese American Citizens League, the National Education Association, APIA Scholars, the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, Stop AAPI Hate, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Chhaya Community Development Corporation, Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Chinatown Manpower Project, Hamilton-Madison House, South Asian Youth Action, Woodside on the Move, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, South Asian Council for Social Services, Asian Services in Action, Austin Asian Impact, the Filipino American Historical Society, Asian Americans for Equality, Academy of Medical and Public Health Services, OCA Greater Chicago, National Partnership for New Americans, New York Immigration Coalition, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, North Carolina Asian Americans Together, New American Leaders, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Arizona Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander for Equity, South Asian Network, Asian Community Development Council, One APIA Nevada, Chung Pak Local Development Corp., Colorado Asian Pacific United, OCA Greater Washington DC, Sikh Coalition, Chinese American Museum of Chicago, APACE at Con Edison of New York, Japanese American Citizens League - Twin Cities, Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus of Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation at the University of Oregon, DC Asian Pacific American Film, Forest Hills Asian Association, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Missouri Asian American Youth Foundation, OCA-Greater Houston, Young Democrats of America Asian Pacific Island Caucus, and Woori Juntos. Celebrated each May, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a time to recognize the heritage, achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and commemorate how Asian Pacific Americans have enriched our nation.