cultural, and public institutions, a task force ap-
pointed to examine the Smithsonian Institution’s 
representation of American Latinos in its permanent 
exhibits and other public programs published ‘‘Will-
ful Neglect: The Smithsonian Institution and U.S. 
Latinos’’ (May 1994) and ‘‘Toward a Shared Vision: 
U.S. Latinos and the Smithsonian Institution’’ (Oc-
tober 1997). The reports indicate that the Smithso-
nian historically had a poor record of representing 
Latinos. This criticism led to the creation of the 
Smithsonian’s Center for Latino Initiatives in 1998. 
(10) The Center for Latino Initiatives has in-
creased the profile of Latino arts and culture and 
should be commended for promoting diversity and 
understanding of American Latino culture by the 
Smithsonian’s patrons. The Center’s short history 
has shown that American Latino exhibits and pro-
grams are well received by the public and by the 
Latino community, which benefits from having some 
representation at the Smithsonian. Still, the level of 
representation at the Smithsonian of the Latino 
community is far from where it should be given 
American Latino history, demography, and contribu-
tions to the American cultural landscape.
(11) For these reasons, it is necessary to estab-
lish a commission to draft a plan of action for cre-
ating a National Museum of the American Latino 
within the Smithsonian Institution, on or near the 
National Mall in Washington, D.C. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established the Commis-
sion to Establish the National Museum of the American 
Latino (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commis-
sion’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall consist of 
23 members appointed not later than 6 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act as follows: 
(1) The President shall appoint 7 voting mem-
bers. 
(2) The Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives, the minority leader of the House of Represent-
atives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and the 
Minority Leader of the Senate shall each appoint 3 
voting members. 
(3) In addition to the members appointed under 
paragraph (2), the Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives, the minority leader of the House of 
Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate,
and the Minority Leader of the Senate shall each 
appoint 1 nonvoting member. 
(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members of the Commission 
shall be chosen from among individuals, or representatives 
of institutions or entities, who possess either—
(1) a demonstrated commitment to the re-
search, study, or promotion of American Latino life, 
art, history, political or economic status, or culture, 
together with—
(A) expertise in museum administration; 
(B) expertise in fundraising for nonprofit 
or cultural institutions; 
(C) experience in the study and teaching of 
Latino culture and history at the post-sec-
ondary level; 
(D) experience in studying the issue of the 
Smithsonian 
Institution’s 
representation 
of 
American Latino art, life, history, and culture; 
or 
(E) extensive experience in public or elect-
ed service; or 
(2) experience in the administration of, or the 
planning for the establishment of, museums devoted 
to the study and promotion of the role of ethnic, ra-
cial, or cultural groups in American history.
SEC. 4. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) PLAN
OF ACTION
FOR ESTABLISHMENT
AND 
MAINTENANCE OF MUSEUM.—The Commission shall sub-
mit a report to the President and the Congress containing 
its recommendations with respect to a plan of action for 
the establishment and maintenance of the National Mu-
seum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C. (here-
after in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Museum’’). 
(b) FUNDRAISING PLAN.—The Commission shall de-
velop 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 ex-
amine (in consultation with the Secretary of the Smithso-
nian 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 on or ad-
jacent to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to 
be considered in consultation with the National Cap-
ital Planning Commission.