House lawmakers advance an effort to create a national Asian Pacific American museum

The bill, passed on Tuesday, would establish a commission to explore what it would take to create such an institution. But even if the bill ultimately passes the Senate, it could take years before a museum opens for visitors.

The House passed a bill on Tuesday that would establish a commission to explore what it would take to create an institution celebrating the stories, heritage and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The commission would be made up of eight people who would be tasked with determining, among other issues, the cost of the collections the museum might house, whether it would be a part of the Smithsonian and how they might engage Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the process.

"Our achievements, history, and experiences are American as everybody else's, and we must recognize that the narrative of the Asian Pacific American community is woven into our greater American story," Democratic Rep. Grace Meng of New York, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement. "I am excited that we are one step closer to this bill becoming law, and one step closer to a national museum filled with our Asian Pacific American history being established."