November 20, 2003
The museum will establish the only national institution devoted to the documentation of African American life, art, history and culture. The museum will be a part of the Smithsonian Institution.
“The effort to create a national African American museum has been a long, tough fight, but we have been willing to undergo this fight because we understand – as all Americans should – that African American history is an integral part of our country,” said Lee. “With this museum, we now have the opportunity to educate all people on the rich cultural and historic struggle of African Americans from the Middle Passage to the Civil Rights Movement to today’s continued struggle for equality.”
With the passage of this historic legislation and its signing into law, the effort to raise $200 million of private support for this museum, which will be matched by Federal funding, will begin.
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Praises House Passage of African American Museum Legislation
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) celebrated the successful House passage of a bill late last night authorizing the creation of the first National Museum of African American History and Culture. The effort to create the museum, initiated by Black Civil War veterans, marked the culmination of a decades-long effort to commemorate the significant contributions of African American soldiers, scientists, educators, artists, activists, businesspersons, pioneers and leaders. Lee co-sponsored the bill.The museum will establish the only national institution devoted to the documentation of African American life, art, history and culture. The museum will be a part of the Smithsonian Institution.
“The effort to create a national African American museum has been a long, tough fight, but we have been willing to undergo this fight because we understand – as all Americans should – that African American history is an integral part of our country,” said Lee. “With this museum, we now have the opportunity to educate all people on the rich cultural and historic struggle of African Americans from the Middle Passage to the Civil Rights Movement to today’s continued struggle for equality.”
With the passage of this historic legislation and its signing into law, the effort to raise $200 million of private support for this museum, which will be matched by Federal funding, will begin.
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