New Jersey Latino Caucus: ‘Keep Up Progress On National Museum’

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Members of the New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus are urging federal lawmakers to make more progress on the National Museum of the American Latino.

Earlier this week, the caucus – which includes several state lawmakers from Essex County – issued a joint statement about a proposed joint resolution currently before the New Jersey Legislature: SJR104 and AJR166.

According to the symbolic resolution:

“This joint resolution urges the United States Congress to continue progress on the National Museum of the American Latino. While there are national museums dedicated to African-Americans and Native Americans, there is no national museum dedicated to American Latinos. This resolution urges Congress to reinstate the 2008 commission to explore the creation of a museum dedicated to American Latinos and advocate for its creation as part of the Smithsonian Institution with the museum’s location to be on the National Mall in Washington D.C. A National Museum will provide a space to celebrate the rich culture of Latinos and their contributions to the United States.”

The resolution is being led by Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez and Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill, along with the Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Sen. Nellie Pou (chair of the Legislative Latino Caucus) and Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez.

According to a joint statement from the caucus, economically, Latinos are the fastest-growing contributors, driving $3.2 trillion of the national GDP. Historically, Latinos have shaped pivotal moments such as the desegregation of schools, exemplified by the 1947 federal court case Mendez v. Westminster.

As a “pivotal demographic,” Latinos constitute 19 percent of the population, with 17 percent serving in the armed forces. Their influence extends across various sectors, including politics, where they form the largest ethnic voting bloc, the caucus said.

“On behalf of the Latino community in New Jersey and throughout the United States, we ask that Congress renew its push for a national museum that recognizes that Latinos have built a rich and historical presence since the foundation of our country,” the caucus stated.

Members of the Legislative Latino Caucus include:

• Senator Nellie Pou
• Senator M. Teresa Ruiz
• Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez
• Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie
• Assemblyman Christian Barranco
• Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill
• Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez
• Assemblyman Julio Marenco
• Assemblywoman Carmen Morales
• Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor-Marin
• Assemblywoman Annette Quijano
• Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez
• Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.