File #: Res 1414-2017    Version: * Name: Establish an American Museum of Women’s History as a part of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Women's Issues
On agenda: 3/16/2017
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon Congress to pass and the President to sign, legislation that would establish an American Museum of Women's History as a part of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Sponsors: Ben Kallos, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Karen Koslowitz, Laurie A. Cumbo, James G. Van Bramer, Elizabeth S. Crowley, Stephen T. Levin
Council Member Sponsors: 7
Attachments: 1. March 16, 2017 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files

Res. No. 1414

 

Resolution calling upon Congress to pass and the President to sign, legislation that would establish an American Museum of Women’s History as a part of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

 

By Council Members Kallos, The Speaker (Council Member Mark-Viverito), Koslowitz, Cumbo, Van Bramer, Crowley and Levin

 

Whereas, Women comprise about 51% of the Unites States (U.S.) population, and yet it is estimated by some that they only comprise 10% of the figures represented in United States history textbooks; and

Whereas, Women should have equal recognition for their immense contributions to our nation; and

                     Whereas, In 2014, the President signed legislation creating the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Women’s History Museum (The Commission); and

Whereas, On November 16, 2016, The Commission released The American Museum of Women’s History Congressional Report to the President of the United States and to Congress; and

Whereas, The report includes recommendations for the location, funding, governance structure, content of the museum, along with a timeline of the development of the project; and

Whereas, The American Museum of Women’s History would highlight the numerous contributions women have made to the U.S.; and

Whereas, Women are currently underrepresented in main sites of public history, including textbooks, currency, postage stamps, and monuments; and

Whereas, In the National Statuary Hall of the U.S Capitol building, there are 91 statues of men but only 9 statutes of women; and

Whereas, Out of the roughly 5,000 public outdoor sculptures in the United States, only 394 or 8 percent are of women; and

Whereas, Only one of the 44 national memorials managed by the National Park Service specifically focuses on women and their achievements; and

Whereas, The Commission recommends that the American Museum of Women’s  History be made a full component museum of the Smithsonian, which is currently the world’s largest museum; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon Congress to pass and the President to sign, legislation that would establish an American Museum of Women’s History as a part of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

 

LS 9705

ER

1/6/17