This week, the President signed into law a bill (S. 2739) creating a commission to study the potential establishment of a National Museum of the American Latino.

The new law sets up a 23 member commission charged with producing three things in a 24-month timeframe: one, a national conference to bring stakeholders, experts, policymakers and other interested parties together to discuss the museum’s viability; two, a fundraising plan to create an extensive public-private partnership; and three, a report to Congress detailing a recommended plan of action on how to move forward with taking the museum from concept to reality. The report would include recommendations as to possible locations within the District of Columbia and the thornier question of whether the Museum should be part of the Smithsonian Institution.