Republican Congressman Bradley Byrne introduced the bill in March
A proposal for a National Irish American Museum has garnered bipartisan support in US Congress.
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Presented by Alabama Republican Representative Bradley Byrne just ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, H.R. 1780 calls for “a commission to study the potential for creating a National Museum of Irish American History.”
“The commission shall (1) develop and obtain an independent review of a fund-raising plan to support the museum through public contributions, and (2) submit recommendations for a legislative plan of action for the creation and construction of the museum.”
“The commission may host a national conference on the museum for individuals who are committed to the advancement of Irish-American life, art, history, and culture.”
In its latest update, the bill was referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands on April 3.
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While Representative Bradley Byrne introduced the bill, it has several bipartisan cosponsors: Rep. Richard Neal, Rep. Paul Tonko, Rep. Daniel Kildee, Rep. Brian Higgins, Rep. Gerald Connolly, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rep. Stephen Lynch, Rep. James McGovern, Rep. Brendan Boyle, Rep. Peter King, Rep. Joe Courtney, and Rep. Matt Cartwright.
Representative Byrne’s great-great-great-grandfather immigrated from Ireland to Mobile, Alabama in the 1700s.
My great-great-great grandfather, Gerald Byrne, settled here in Southwest Alabama from Ireland back in the 1780s and my family has lived here ever since. From one Irish-American to all: Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! pic.twitter.com/tNpcpvlOY2
— Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) March 17, 2019
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The website for the proposed museum says: “The goal of the Irish American Museum of Washington, D.C., is to become a major cultural institution that will bring Irish-American history to life for visitors of all ages, from all ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.”
“The museum will initially be housed in temporary gallery space; ultimately, the plan is for a prestigious establishment that will provide future generations of Irish-Americans a sense of their history.”
Would you support a new National Irish American History Museum in Washington, DC? Let us know in the comments
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