Houe Passes Bill to Create Black-Heritage Museum

Associated Press | 12/12/01

[al-andalus]

House passes bill to create black-heritage museum
December 12, 2001 Posted: 12:10 PM EST (1710 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A proposal to create a national museum to recognize contributions of black Americans gained ground as the House of Representatives passed a bill that begins planning for the monument.

The measure, passed by voice vote, creates a presidential commission to handle planning and logistics for a National Museum of African-American History and Culture.

The 23-member commission would essentially be charged with creating a blueprint for the museum's eventual completion, lawmakers said.

Black lawmakers have long pushed for the museum. The commission, which would issue a report within nine months, is the closest to reality the proposal has come.

"I think the time is long past for a national African-American museum right here in our capital city," said Rep. John Lewis. The Democrat has introduced legislation to establish a black heritage museum every year for the last 12 years.

"This presidential commission is a step, a necessary step in the right direction to preserve the rich history of African-Americans," said Lewis, a major civil rights leader during the mid-20th century era of protests.

Republican Rep. J.C. Watts, co-author of the proposal with Lewis, said the museum's "existence would serve a needed purpose by demonstrating the significance of African-American history to American history."

Members of the Senate have yet to take up the bill.

Copyright 2001 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[al-andalus]

I've visited the Holocaust Museum in D.C., and I think a black-heritage museum is a great idea. I just don't think it should be built with Federal tax dollars, if that's where this is heading.

How many other ethnic groups will want publically-funded museums?

[Howlin]

Fine. Just make sure there is not ONE piece of black "memorabilia" in any of the other museums.

[YaYa123]

John Lewis already knows what will happen if the Black Museum wants to include any Martin Luther King memorabelia. They'll have to pay Coretta and kids for the privilege.

[billhilly]

What, one wonders, is Jesse's cut?

[RightOnline]

I can see it now: a paean to "rap", "hip hop", single parenthood, crack, pants pulled down to below one's hips, kerchiefs tied around one's head, butchery of the English language, the celebration of academic failure / disdain for knowledge or academic excellence, and the ubiquitous "boom box" the size of a small Chevy.

Yeah boy. Doctor King would be soooooooooooo proud.