Group Asks Obama To Support New Immigration Museum
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A coalition of ethnic and minority groups is asking President Barack Obama to create a presidential commission to consider establishing a museum to explore the history of immigration and migration that formed the nation.
In a letter Wednesday, the group called for Obama to appoint a commission to study the creation of a National Museum of the American People in Washington. The group wrote that such an effort would serve as an "act of reconciliation" in the wake of the election.
In 2011, the coalition worked with members of Congress to introduce legislation calling for the museum.
One proponent, Virginia Rep. Jim Moran, has criticized the trend toward building individual ethnic museums on the National Mall, saying they may appeal to segregated audiences.
The museum coalition involves 83 minority organizations.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
