UMD Joins Coalition for the National Museum of the American People
The Museum of the American People will tell the story of the making of the American people, starting with the first migrations some 20,000 years ago, through the waves of migration and immigration that led up to the present day. It would highlight the diversity and richness of the cultures from which we came and emphasize the right to both an original identity and an American identity.
In September of 2008, Congressmen Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Tim Bishop (D-NY) introduced legislation (H.R. 6883) calling on Congress to consider the establishment of the National Museum of the American People. The legislation would establish a Presidential Commission to study the establishment of the Museum. The commission would be appointed by the President and Congress and be charged with exploring such issues as the cost and fundraising plan to build and operate the Museum, site of the Museum, and details of the story that the Museum would tell. Congressmen Hinchey and Bishop plan to re-introduce the legislation in late March.
Inclusion in the coalition to establish the National Museum of the American People means that UMD, thus Macedonian-Americans, will be listed as a coalition member and will assist in gaining support on Capitol Hill for the establishment of a national commission to study the proposal. If the legislation is passed, coalition members may have the opportunity to present nominees for the commission to the President and Congressional leaders and suggest scholars who might assist with the story that the Museum would tell about Macedonian-Americans, among others.