During Hispanic Heritage Month in 2003, I introduced legislation to take the first step toward realizing an idea that has long fueled the beliefs and aspirations of millions of Americans who believe that our nation’s museums should reflect America. On May 8, 2008 - nearly five years later - the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Act was signed into law by the president.

Now that the legislation is law, a 23 member commission will soon be formed to study the feasibility of and plan for a new national museum in the nation’s capital that is dedicated to portraying the art, history, and culture of the Latino population of the United States.

Specifically, the commission will be charged with producing three things: one, a national conference to bring stakeholders, experts, policymakers and other interested parties together to discuss the museum’s viability; two, a fundraising plan to create an extensive public-private partnership; and three, a report to Congress detailing a recommended plan of action on how to move forward with taking the museum from concept to reality. You can read more about the process in the bill summary.

Throughout the 110th Congress we have witnessed an incredible level of momentum and support for this endeavor. It quickly passed in the House in 2007 after being re-introduced (it had already passed in the House in the previous 109th Congress), picked up a number of endorsements from organizations and local government throughout the country, and passed in the Senate in April, 2008, before returning for a final procedural vote in the House April 29.

As a proud American of Latino descent, I am thrilled that this small, crucial first step has finally been made toward realizing the dream of completing the mosaic portrayed in our nation’s museums.