Representative Adriano Espaillat Defends Congressional Funding for the National Latino Museum

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) delivered the following remarks during the House Committee on Appropriations hearing in support of his National Latino Museum Amendment to defend federal funding for development of the museum

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The following are remarks by Rep. Espaillat, as prepared for delivery during today's hearing:

"As Deputy Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I rise in strong support of my amendment that would continue to fund the National Museum of the American Latino.

"Championed by my colleagues, former Representatives Jose Serrano (D-NY-15), Will Hurd (R-TX-23), and Congressman Tony Cardenas(D-CA-29), the National Museum of the American Latino passed the House by voice in 2020. It passed the House for a second time that year as a part of the fiscal year 2021 omnibus, with overwhelming support, as the 359/53 vote shows. Shortly after, it was signed into law by then President Trump.

"I commend my colleagues on the other side of this room, who saw the importance of having the American-Latino perspective represented by voting for the Museum. It was important then, as it is now. I’d be remiss if I did not mention that members of the Congressional Hispanic Conference, which my dear friend Congressman Diaz-Balart is a part of, share a profound interest in highlighting the remarkable and diverse accomplishments of Hispanic Americans.

"The conference has expressed concerns with the exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Latino, and it is important that we work on this in a constructive manner to ensure that ALL of the American-Latino perspectives can continue to be represented.

"I ask ALL my colleagues to vote in favor of fulfilling Congress’s promise of establishing the National Museum of the American Latino to recognize the accomplishments, history, and culture of the Latino communities."

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