Cornyn Announces Senate Hearing on Bill to Establish Latino Smithsonian

Yesterday I announced the Senate Rules Committee will hold a hearing on the National Museum of the American Latino Act, my bill to authorize the Smithsonian Institution to create a museum honoring American Latinos. I will testify at the hearing, scheduled for November 17^th.

In Texas, we know American history isn’t properly told without the culture and stories of Latinos who have helped build our country. I look forward to advocating on behalf of the nearly 40% of Texans who identify as Hispanic for a national museum that highlights their American experience.

Companion legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives in July.

The National Museum of the American Latino Act builds on nearly 17 years’ worth of work in laying the foundation for the establishment of a future museum. In 2003, the first Congressional bill was introduced to study the creation of a museum. In 2008, with Presidential and Congressional leadership, a 23-member Commission was established to study the viability of a museum. In 2011, the Commission’s work culminated in a final report that detailed that the creation of a museum on the National Mall was indeed feasible. In 2020, this legislation will act on the Commission’s report and put into motion the process of establishing a Latino Museum, similar to those that established other Smithsonian museums.