PRESIDENT SIGNS UDALL-BACKED BILL TO CREATE NATIONAL LATINO MUSEUM

WASHINGTON—President Bush today signed legislation that will take the first step towards creating a National Museum of the American Latino, a proposal Representative Tom Udall, D-N.M., joined with Representative Xavier Becerra (CA) in introducing several times over the last five years.

"I am proud to have helped recognize the important contributions that Hispanics have made to this country, and especially to New Mexico" said Udall. "They deserve a national museum to help preserve their history and their culture, and to honor their contribution to building the America of today."

The Udall-backed legislation will establish a 23-member commission charged with producing three things: a national conference to bring stakeholders, experts, policymakers and other interested parties together to discuss the museum's viability; a fundraising plan to create an extensive public-private partnership; and, a report to Congress on how to make the museum a reality. The commission must reach its goals within 24 months.

The American Latino Museum legislation was included in S. 2739, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act. The bill passed the House on April 29, 2008, by a vote of 291 – 117. It passed the Senate on April 10, 2008, by a vote of 91-4.

"I am pleased that this legislation won broad, bipartisan support," said Udall. "I will continue to work across the aisle to advance commonsense proposals that move our nation forward."