I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3292
To establish the Commission to Establish a National Museum of the American 
Latino to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance 
of the National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C., 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 15, 2003
Mr. BECERRA (for himself, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Mr. LIN-
COLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. ORTIZ, Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of 
Florida, Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA´, Mr. BACA, Mr. CARDOZA, Mr. CLYBURN, 
Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. 
HONDA, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. MAT-
SUI, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. PASTOR, Mr. REYES, Ms. 
ROYBAL-ALLARD, Ms. LINDA T. SA´NCHEZ of California, Ms. LORETTA 
SANCHEZ of California, Mr. SERRANO, Ms. SOLIS, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, and 
Mr. WU) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on House Admin-
istration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Commission to Establish a National Mu-
seum of the American Latino to develop a plan of action 
for the establishment and maintenance of the National 
Museum of the American Latino in Washington, D.C., 
and for other purposes.
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 ‘‘Commission to Estab-
lish the National Museum of the American Latino Act of 
2003’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds as follows: 
(1) American Latinos are an ethnically and ra-
cially diverse population. Still, whether known by the 
term ‘‘Hispanic’’ or ‘‘Latino,’’ or by the various na-
tional identities from which they obtain their eth-
nicity, American Latinos share a common heritage 
rooted in the mixture of the cultures of the indige-
nous peoples of the American continent, of the Euro-
pean colonizers from Spain, and of Africans who 
were brought to those colonies as slaves. 
(2) While the history of the United States for-
mally dates from 1776, American civilization was al-
ready centuries old by then. Latinos were present on 
the continent for more than 200 years prior to the 
Declaration of Independence. Spanish colonists 
founded the first permanent settlement on future 
United States territory in St. Augustine, Florida in 
1565. Indigenous nations that had thrived for cen-
turies prior to the landing of Columbus would later 
mix with colonists of various ethnicities from Spain
to create a third culture, one that continues to thrive 
in various forms throughout the Americas today. 
(3) Since before our Nation’s founding, Latinos 
have come to this land searching for opportunity, 
prosperity, and chance. In this regard, not much has 
changed in over 3 centuries. Through every era of 
our Nation’s history, whether in the fields of plenty 
or on the field of battle, a Latino presence was felt. 
Since before the early colonization of the west, 
Latinos have labored under the harsh sun to put 
food on America’s tables. From the earliest days of 
American industry, Latinos have worked in our fac-
tories. Through every war and conflict, Latinos have 
served honorably and proudly next to their fellow 
Americans to defend the ideals of freedom, democ-
racy, and liberty worldwide, earning countless 
awards for valor and sacrifice. 
(4) The history, art, politics, economy, and cul-
ture of the United States have been enriched since 
the Nation’s founding by the influence of American 
Latinos and their traditions and innovations. Both 
native and foreign-born Latinos in the United States 
continue to make significant contributions to the 
arts and humanities, academia, and the popular cul-
ture that have benefited all Americans.
(5) According to the Bureau of the Census, the 
population of American Latinos recently grew to be-
come the largest demographic minority group in the 
country. As of July 2002, there were an estimated 
38.8 million Latinos in the United States. One out 
of every three of these is under the age of 18, and 
four out of every 10 is under the age of 25. The 
youthfulness and rapid growth of this population en-
sure that American Latinos will have a substantial 
role in American life ranging from public policy to 
popular entertainment. Greater understanding of 
this role will benefit all of American society. 
(6) The American Latino population historically 
has been concentrated in certain regions of the 
United States. In the last several decades, however, 
there has been more dispersed growth of the commu-
nity throughout the entire country. In the southern 
states other than Texas, most have seen the popu-
lation of Latinos, primarily immigrants, double be-
tween the years 1990 and 2000, adding to the mix-
ture of cultures already there as these individuals 
adapt to Southern life. 
(7) Despite the history and demography as well 
as the ongoing contributions that American Latinos 
make to the cultural life of the United States, there
remains a great gap in the level and quality of 
awareness that other Americans possess about the 
rich and diverse character of Latino culture and his-
tory. Sometimes the lack of awareness manifests 
itself in the development of stereotypes or mis-
conceptions about Latinos. Greater effort is needed 
at a national level to educate other Americans about 
Latinos, and to celebrate and disseminate informa-
tion about Latino arts and history. Americans of all 
backgrounds benefit from greater understanding of 
the diversity that exists in the United States. 
(8) The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s 
largest museum and research complex, with 16 mu-
seums in the District of Columbia and New York 
City. The Smithsonian Institution museums, espe-
cially those on the National Mall, play a unique and 
important role in educating visitors to the Nation’s 
capital about our history, arts, and culture. The 
American people and international visitors recognize 
the Smithsonian Institution as the premier American 
museum, representing the vast diversity of cultural 
history of the United States. 
(9) After extensive dialogue, conferences, and 
collaboration among educators, scholars, and com-
munity leaders, as well as museums, universities,
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.
(4) Whether the Museum should be located 
within the Smithsonian Institution. 
(5) The governance and organizational struc-
ture from which the museum should operate. 
(6) How to engage the American Latino com-
munity in the development and design of the Mu-
seum. 
(d) LEGISLATION
TO CARRY OUT PLAN
OF AC-
TION.—Based on the recommendations contained in the 
report submitted under subsection (a) and the report sub-
mitted under subsection (c), the Commission shall submit 
for consideration to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Com-
mittee on House Administration of the House of Rep-
resentatives, the Committee on Resources of the House 
of Representatives, the Committee on Rules and Adminis-
tration of the Senate, and the Committees on Appropria-
tions of the House of Representatives and Senate a legisla-
tive plan of action to create and construct the Museum. 
(e) NATIONAL CONFERENCE.—In carrying out its 
functions under this section, the commission shall convene 
a national conference on the Museum, comprised of indi-
viduals committed to the advancement of American Latino 
life, art, history, and culture, not later than 9 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 
(a) FACILITIES AND SUPPORT OF SECRETARY OF IN-
TERIOR.—The Secretary of the Interior shall provide the 
administrative services, facilities, and funds necessary for 
the performance of the Commission’s functions. 
(b) COMPENSATION.—Each member of the Commis-
sion who is not an officer or employee of the Federal gov-
ernment may receive compensation for each day on which 
the member is engaged in the work of the Commission, 
at a daily rate to be determined by the Secretary of the 
Interior. 
(c) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall receive 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter 
I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. 
SEC. 6. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF REPORTS; TERMI-
NATION. 
(a) DEADLINE.—The Commission shall submit final 
versions of the reports and plans required under section 
4 not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(b) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
not later than 30 days after submitting the final versions 
of reports and plans pursuant to subsection (a).
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated for carrying 
out the activities of the Commission $2,100,000 for fiscal 
year 2005 and $1,100,000 for fiscal year 2006.
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