Please support H.R. 9987 National Museum of Italian American History Commission Act, which would create a planning commission to examine the feasibility of establishing a Smithsonian Museum of Italian American History. Every major Italian American organization in the country has endorsed this bill. All of the bipartisan Chairs and Co-Chairs of the Italian Delegation have joined as original cosponsors.

Italian Americans have made invaluable contributions to the United States. From Fortune 500 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, community, public service, love of country, and hope for a better future.

The 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.

119th Cosponsors: Amodei, Bonamici, DeLauro, Deluzio, Garbarino, Lawler, Panetta, Peters, Ruli

Endorsements (78):
• COPOMIAO: 70 organizations, including- Italian Sons and Daughters of America, Italian American Bar Association, Italian American War Veterans of the United States, Filitalia International, Italian American Museum (in Little Italy in Manhattan), Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, Association of Italian American Educators, Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, Italian American Alliance, One Voice Coalition, Italian American Committee on Education, Italian American Federation of the Southeast
• Italian American Leadership Forum: 8 Founding Organizations- Columbus Citizens Foundation, National Italian American Foundation, National Organization of Italian American Women, Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America- Supreme Lodge, Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America- Foundation, Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America- Commission for Social Justice, UNICO National, UNICO Foundation