McCarthy taps Vince Fong to national museum panel

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy has appointed California State Assemblyman Vince Fong to the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific History and Culture. The commission was established by Congress and signed into law by the President on June 16, 2022.

The backstory: The commission is tasked with exploring the feasibility of establishing, maintaining, funding, and operating the first national museum to preserve the history and culture of Asian and Pacific Islanders Americans in the nation’s capital, possibly as part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

• The commission will have eight members who will report recommendations and develop a plan to support the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the museum. The commission will also perform an independent review of this plan, including an analysis of the resources necessary to fund the construction of the museum and its operations and maintenance without reliance on federal funds.

• The commission will report on the availability and cost of acquiring collections for the museum, identify potential locations for the facility in Washington, D.C., and determine its regional impact on other related museums. The commission will have 18 months to complete its work.

What they’re saying: Speaker McCarthy praised Fong’s leadership skills, affability, and work ethic, adding that he will bring Central Valley values of hard work and determination to help the commission succeed.

• Assemblyman Fong expressed his excitement about the opportunity to tell the stories of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans who have given so much to the United States. Fong, who is the first Asian American to represent the Central Valley in the State Legislature, is honored to serve on this important commission. The commission’s work will help recognize the many accomplishments and significant contributions of Americans of Asian and Pacific Island descent in the Central Valley and across the state and nation.

• The creation of a national museum of Asian Pacific American history and culture will help preserve the history and culture of Asian and Pacific Islanders Americans and recognize their significant contributions to the United States. The commission’s work will play a vital role in exploring the feasibility of establishing, maintaining, funding, and operating such a facility in the nation’s capital.