I
104TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 786
To authorize the establishment of the National African-American Museum
within the Smithsonian Institution.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 1, 1995
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia (for himself, Mr. CLAY, Mr. STOKES, Mr. FRAZER, Mr.
REYNOLDS, Mr. FROST, Mr. TUCKER, Mr. TRAFICANT, Mrs. COLLINS of
Illinois, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. BROWN of California, Mr. OLVER, Mr.
HINCHEY, Mr. CLYBURN, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr.
BARRETT of Wisconsin, Mr. FILNER, Mr. UNDERWOOD, Mr. TORRES,
Mr. HILLIARD, Mrs. MEEK of Florida, Mr. ENGEL, Mrs. MINK of Ha-
waii, Mr. PETE GEREN of Texas, Mr. TEJEDA, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. RANGEL,
Ms. MCKINNEY, Mrs. CLAYTON, Mr. WATT of North Carolina, Mr.
THOMPSON, Ms. RIVERS, Mr. BONIOR, Mr. OWENS, Mr. DELLUMS, Mr.
FIELDS of Louisiana, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. RUSH, Ms. NORTON, Mr.
WYNN, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. SCOTT, Mr. FLAKE, Ms. JACKSON-
LEE, Mr. DIXON, Mr. BISHOP, Ms. BROWN of Florida, Mr. CONYERS,
Mr. FORD, Mr. MFUME, Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey, Ms. WATERS, and
Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on House Oversight and, in addition, to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To authorize the establishment of the National African-
American Museum within the Smithsonian Institution.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National African
American Museum Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that—
(1) the presentation and preservation of African
American life, art, history, and culture within the
National Park System and other Federal entities is
inadequate;
(2) the inadequate presentation and preserva-
tion of African American life, art, history, and cul-
ture seriously restricts the ability of the people of
the United States, particularly African Americans,
to understand themselves and their past;
(3) African American life, art, history, and cul-
ture includes the varied experiences of Africans in
slavery and freedom and the continued struggles for
full recognition of citizenship and treatment with
human dignity;
(4) in enacting Public Law 99–511, the Con-
gress encouraged support for the establishment of a
commemorative structure within the National Park
System, or on other Federal lands, dedicated to the
promotion of understanding, knowledge, opportunity,
and equality for all people;
(5) the establishment of a national museum and
the conducting of interpretive and educational pro-
grams, dedicated to the heritage and culture of Afri-
can Americans, will help to inspire and educate the
people of the United States regarding the cultural
legacy of African Americans and the contributions
made by African Americans to the society of the
United States; and
(6) the Smithsonian Institution operates 15
museums and galleries, a zoological park, and 5
major research facilities, none of which is a national
institution devoted solely to African American life,
art, history, or culture.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL AFRICAN
AMERICAN MUSEUM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within
the Smithsonian Institution a Museum, which shall be
known as the ‘‘National African American Museum’’.
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Museum is to pro-
vide—
(1) a center for scholarship relating to African
American life, art, history, and culture;
(2) a location for permanent and temporary ex-
hibits documenting African American life, art, his-
tory, and culture;
(3) a location for the collection and study of ar-
tifacts and documents relating to African American
life, art, history, and culture;
(4) a location for public education programs re-
lating to African American life, art, history, and cul-
ture; and
(5) a location for training of museum profes-
sionals and others in the arts, humanities, and
sciences regarding museum practices related to Afri-
can American life, art, history, and culture.
SEC. 4. LOCATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NATIONAL
AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM.
The Board of Regents is authorized to plan, design,
reconstruct, and renovate the Arts and Industries Build-
ing of the Smithsonian Institution to house the Museum.
SEC. 5. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MUSEUM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the
Smithsonian Institution the Board of Trustees of the Na-
tional African American Museum.
(b) COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT.—The Board
of Trustees shall be composed of 23 members as follows:
(1) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institu-
tion.
(2) An Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian
Institution, designated by the Board of Regents.