Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
02/07/2012 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SCR20 | |
| SJR14 | |
| SJR11 | |
| SCR16 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SCR 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 11 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SCR 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SJR 11-NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM
9:27:11 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced the consideration of SJR 11, which
calls on the congressional delegation to support efforts to
construct a National Women's History Museum in the nation's
capital.
SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, sponsor of SJR 11, thanked the committee
for hearing the resolution.
CELESTE HODGES, staff, Senator Bettye Davis, read from the
following sponsor statement for SJR 11:
Senate Joint Resolution No. 11 urges members of the
Alaska delegation in Congress to support efforts by
the National Women's History Museum to secure property
in Washington DC near the National Mall as a permanent
location for the National Women's History Museum.
Women played and continue to play essential roles in
many movements that helped shape the society we value
so highly today. Such movements include the Labor
Movement, the Women's Suffrage Movement, the Civil
Rights Movement, the Women's Rights Movement, and the
Environmental Movement. Women have long struggled to
gain ground in a society largely dominated by men.
Unfortunately, women achievements were marginalized
and credit for their work and discoveries went to
their male colleagues. Too often women were unsung
heroes and their contributions went unnoticed. The
displacement of women's history from the consciousness
of the general public is indicated by the absence of
women's history from K-12 curriculum. The
achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love
of the women who built America was and is as vital as
that of the men whose names we know so well.
In the 1970's, that began to change as a movement to
celebrate women's history gained momentum - a momentum
we now feel each March during Women's History Month as
we pay tribute to the millions of women who sacrificed
so much to help create a better society and world.
Since its founding in 1996, the National Women's
History Museum Institution, with the support of the
National Foundation for women legislators, has been
working toward obtaining a permanent site near the
National Mall for its building. The construction of a
museum that exhibits the rich history of women and
their many contributions to society is long overdue.
Of the 210 statues in the capitol building, only 9 are
of women. Of the 2,400 national historic landmarks in
the country, only 5 percent document women's
accomplishments. There are museums dedicated to
airplanes, buildings, and postage stamps, but no
single location dedicated to celebrating the
accomplishments of women, who are over half the
country's population.
MS. HODGES urged support of SJR 11.
9:31:04 AM
ANN STONE, Senior Vice President, National Women's History
Museum, Alexandria, Virginia, testified in support of SJR 11.
She recalled support for the museum from Alaskans, including
Senator Stevens in 1997. She said it is critical to receive
support from across the states. In the 90's a survey showed that
80 percent surveyed were in favor of a women's history museum.
She spoke of the museum's goal to create a greater partnership
between men and women, and to provide greater role models for
young girls. She applauded the legislature for considering SJR
11, which asks for the right to be able to purchase land on or
near the Mall of Washington, DC.
9:36:02 AM
ROBIN READ, President and CEO, National Foundation for Women
Legislators, Washington, DC, testified in support of SJR 11. She
listed the number of states that had already endorsed this
legislation. She listed the types of museums already in
existence and showed that a women's museum is obviously missing.
The Women's History Museum would be the only museum not paid for
by taxpayers. She pointed out that Alaska women are timeless
pioneers.
SENATOR KOOKESH spoke of his experience with building the
American Indian Museum. He wondered if there was any land still
available on the Mall.
MS. READ commented that the Hispanic Museum, which will be
located on the Mal, was just approved. She deferred to Ms. Stone
to discuss available land.
9:39:52 AM
MS. STONE noted that there are a couple of options for sites. It
could be a purchase or a 99-year lease. It will be a revenue
positive bill. She described a site on 12th and Independence;
other sites are pending.
SENATOR KOOKESH appreciated the group's efforts to find property
for the museum.
MS. READ said she appreciated the Native American Museum.
SENATOR DAVIS encouraged passage of the resolution.
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report SJR 11, version A, out of
committee with individual recommendations. There being no
objection, SJR 11 was reported from the Senate State Affairs
Standing Committee.