Former U.S. Representative Michelle Steel has been appointed to a commission tasked with assessing the feasibility of establishing a National Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Museum.
According to a report by the Orange County Register on February 26, House Speaker Mike Johnson appointed Steel to the commission earlier this month. The eight-member panel was created following the enactment of legislation introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) in June 2022.
In a statement, Steel emphasized the significance of preserving AAPI history, stating, “Asian Americans have a rich history that is filled with struggle and triumph, and it is one that deserves to be memorialized for future generations of American citizens.”
Commission to Evaluate Museum Site, Funding, and Smithsonian Affiliation
The commission will convene for the first time in the coming months and will have 18 months to evaluate potential locations in Washington, D.C., explore funding options, and determine whether the museum could operate under the Smithsonian Institution.
Supporters of the museum argue that the contributions of AAPI communities to U.S. history have been historically overlooked. Key examples include Chinese laborers who helped build the first transcontinental railroad and Japanese Americans who were forcibly interned during World War II.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have shaped our nation since its founding. From the struggles we’ve endured to the accomplishments we’ve made, it’s time for more Americans, and our future generations, to know our story,” Meng said when the bill was signed into law. “And a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture would provide the physical space for people to learn how we have helped make America the country that it is today.”
Challenges Ahead in Establishing the Museum
Despite progress, several challenges remain. The commission is responsible for securing its own funding through private donations, as federal funds cannot be used, and no federal employees are permitted to serve on the panel.
The nonprofit organization Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum has suggested that Congress could approve the museum’s establishment as early as 2027. If approved, the museum could open by 2036.
However, past experiences indicate that the process may take longer than anticipated. The commissions for the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum were formed in 2008 and 2014, respectively, yet Congress did not approve their establishment until 2020. Both museums have yet to secure permanent exhibition sites.
Commission Membership Still in Progress
The commission to which Steel has been appointed is not yet fully assembled. James Kwon, a spokesperson for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), chaired by Rep. Meng, stated that the commission’s formation is expected soon but did not provide an exact timeline.
When asked by the Orange County Register about the two-year delay in assembling the commission despite its legal authorization, Kwon declined to comment.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
