African-American history museum is a vision accomplished
My husband, the late Congressman Mickey Le land, was funny, smart, visionary and passionate, with boundless energy and ideas. Manyof his ideas and programs continue to live on in unexpected ways.
A Texas Southern Universitytrained pharmacist, he pushed for consumer access to generic prescription drugs and for making universal health care available to those who did not have access, even before the Affordable Care Act. He partnered with close friends in the Jewish community to create an internship program that recently sent the 35th class of high school students from the 18th Congressional District to learn, study, volunteer and travel throughout Israel each summer. There are also Leland interns working on Capitol Hill from the University of Houston and at the Department of Energy. Oneof the final driving issues for which he ultimately gave his life, was bringing American resources, funding and attention to the devastating famine in Ethiopia and the Sudan.
He was particularly passionate about another idea that is coming to fruition on Saturday, with the opening of the spectacular new National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian Institution.
It’s been a long journey from black Civil War-veterans request- ing recognition more than 100 years ago, to the opening that will be presided over by our first African-American president, Barack Obama. Mickey first introduced a bill calling for a national museum in 1986 and then again with Rep. John Lewis in 1988 and 1989. In the years following Mickey’s death, Lewis introduced a bill every year, until it finally passed in 2003 and was signed by President George W. Bush.
Lewis’ inspiration to be persistent with his effort wasnot unlike Mickey’s. As Lewis wrote in a Washington Post op-ed: “Millions of black men and women built this country through hard labor, sacrifice and suffering, through creativity and ingenuity, sheer willpower and enduring faith.
They have fought in every war and defended the principles of democracy knowing they would not share in the victory. They did this not because they anticipated any benefit, but because they believed in something greater than themselves.”
Beginning with his service in the Texas Legislature, Mickey understood that often seemingly long-shot bills, programs and legislation could take years before passage. The museum was one that he was determined to put before his colleagues and into the public consciousness as something necessary and important for our country.
There were questions and persistent opposition along the way. Senator Jesse Helms blocked passage in the Senate every year. Was a museum honoring African-American history even necessary? Could it be a wing of an existing museum or combined with other groups? Were there even enough artifacts to support this museum and where would they come from? How would it be paid for beyond the portion appropriated by Congress? Should the venue be on the National Mall with our national monuments and other Smithsonian museums, or was that area too crowded as some argued, and therefore should be moved to another part of the city?
In the years that followed, these questions were debated, discussed and slowly, gradually resolved. Funding came in large and small gifts from individuals, churches, sororities and fraternities, celebrities and corporations. Nearly 40,000 artifacts representing history, politics, sports, entertainment and culture poured in from basements and attics from around the country.
As visitors, wewill see everything from a slave cabin and shackles including those small enough for a child’s hands, an airplane flown by the fa med Tuskegee Airmen, to Muhammad Ali’s head gear, and Michael Jackson’s fedora. The museum even acquired Obama’s original campaign office for a future exhibit.
There are strong Houston connections to the museum. The acclaimed work of architect John Chase, a co-founder of the National Organization of Minority Architects and the first African-American licensed architect in Texas, is remembered through photographs, architectural renderings and plans. Art collectors and philanthropists Gerald and Anita Smith, in addition to donating two pieces by Houston artist John Biggers, made a significant donation, placing them amongthe museum’s First Families. On display at the opening will be a painting by artist and University of Houston-Downtownart professor Floyd Newsum, part of the Smithsonian’s permanent collection.
Houston’s Olympic track superstar Carl Lewis donated all 10 of his Olympic medals and 10 World Championship medals along with shoes, uniforms and other memorabilia. Also recognized are the accomplishments of former Houston Ballet principal ballerina Lauren Anderson and Astronaut Mae Jemison.
I’m proud that the first seeds planted by Mickey, his vision that honoring all of our shared American history was important, will come to bear whenan iconic, modern building opens on the National Mall later this month, holding some of our nation’s greatest treasures. I am also proud as an American that I and countless others whenwe visit, will fully experience our nation’s struggles, tragedy and triumph, which is our American story.