Please support the bipartisan National Museum of Italian American History Commission Act. The bill would create a planning commission to examine the feasibility of establishing a Smithsonian Museum of Italian American History.

Similar commissions have led to the establishment of Smithsonian museums such as the African American History and Culture Museum. Legislation that created the Asian Pacific American History and Culture, and the National Women's History study commissions produced favorable recommendations for establishing those two museums.

Italian Americans have made invaluable contributions to the United States. From Fortune 500 company CEOs and public servants, to Supreme Court Justices and Nobel Prize recipients, they have excelled in all areas of American life. The Italian American story is the quintessential American story—immigrants arriving in our country and embracing commitments to family, conununity, public service, love of country, and hope fora better future.

This proposed legislation would create a planning commission comprised of experts in museum planning and the immigrant experience in America. The commission would examine the feasibility of establishing, maintaining, funding, and operating such a facility as part of the Smithsonian Institution.

Specifically, the commission would submit to the President and to Congress: 1. A detailed Plan of Action for establishing the museum; 2. A Fundraising Plan through contributions from the American people and by Italian American community groups; 3. A Report on Issues to include cost estimates, the impact of the museum on other Italian American museums; 4. Recommendations on whether the museum should be part of the Smithsonian Institution; 5. A governance structure through which the museum should operate; and 6. A draft legislative Plan of Action to construct the Museum.

Join us in advancing this worthwhile effort and honoring the contributions of generations of immigrants who continue to weave the social fabric of our great nation.

For more information or, to join as a cosponsor, please email lvanley Noisette ([email protected]) in Congressman Tom Suozzi's office or Monika Konrad ([email protected]) in Congressman Mark Amodei's office.

Thank you for your consideration.