WASHINGTON – The Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture on June 12 held a ceremonial swearing-in of its congressionally appointed members at the Library of Congress, formally launching its mandated mission to assess the feasibility of establishing the first national museum dedicated to preserving Asian Pacific American history and culture.
Established by Public Law 117-140 (H.R. 3525) on June 13, 2022, the bipartisan commission is charged with delivering a report to the president and Congress that will lay the foundation for the possible creation of a national museum.
Over the coming months, the commission will engage the Asian Pacific American community nation-wide, consulting with leading experts and institutions and assessing key considerations, including site locations in the nation’s capital, costs, and operations of the future museum.
“From the founding of our nation, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made invaluable contributions to our country and shaped America for the better,” said Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), who introduced H.R. 3525. “This history deserves to be preserved and celebrated for generations to come. That is why a national museum dedicated to collecting, preserving, and displaying our rich history is long overdue.
“I am proud to lead the congressional effort to establish the first national museum of Asian Pacific American history and culture, and today’s convening represents an important step toward this goal. I am grateful to each of the commissioners for their service, and I look forward to working with the commission to create this national museum.”
“A national museum dedicated to Asian Pacific American history and culture would not only preserve and celebrate the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to the building of America today,” said Elaine L. Chao, 24th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, 18th U.S. Secretary of Labor, and the first Asian American woman appointed to a president’s Cabinet. “It is to educate, inspire, and foster greater understanding of the Asian Pacific Americans community, especially during these times of increasing anti-Asian sentiments, violence and discrimination.
“And most importantly, this museum would bring all Americans closer together — by showing how our stories intersect and how much we share in common.”
“Today’s ceremony marks an important step in our effort to fulfill the vision laid out by Congress and develop a thoughtful, community-informed roadmap for a potential museum,” said Commission Chair Dr. Jay Xu, director emeritus of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. “We are honored to serve on this commission and look forward to engaging with experts and community members across the country to examine how to bring to life a national institution that truly reflects the richness of the Asian Pacific American experience.”
“For generations, countless Asian Pacific Americans have helped shape this country,” said Commission Chair Chiling Tong of Maryland, president and CEO of the National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. “This commission represents a powerful opportunity to ensure their contributions are preserved, celebrated, and shared with future generations.”
The bipartisan commission includes eight members appointed by the speaker and minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives and the majority and minority leaders of the U.S. Senate. The commissioners, who were selected for their leadership in public service, museum development, and community engagement, include:
Joanne Kwong (New York), vice chair – president, Pearl River Mart
Tina Wei Smith (Kentucky), vice chair – former executive director, White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Dennis Cheng (New York) – Former deputy political director, the White House
Rodney Davis (Illinois) – former U.S. representative
Kevin D. Kim (New York) – former commissioner, New York City Department of Small Business Services
Michelle Steel (California) – former U.S. representative
The commission also announced that Krystal Ka‘ai Hetherington will serve as its executive director. She brings a wealth of experience to the commission, having previously served as executive director of both the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Through listening sessions and convenings, the commission will invite broad participation from the Asian Pacific American community to explore how a museum could best serve the nation. Commissioners will also consult with community leaders and experts, regional museums, academic institutions, historical societies, and cultural organizations to develop recommendations on establishing, funding, and maintaining a museum in the nation’s capital.
The commission’s work will conclude with the delivery of a final report to the president, Congress, and the American people outlining a plan for a future museum.
Members of the public will be able to track updates from the commission through its new website (nationalapamuseum.org) and on social media at @apamuseum.