Norton's Subcommittee Bill Creating the National Women's History Museum Passes the House (10/14/09)
Norton's Subcommittee Bill Creating the National Women's History Museum Passes on the House Floor
October 14, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC - This afternoon, the House passed H.R. 1700, "The National Women's History Museum Act of 2009," a bill Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) co-sponsored with Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (NY). Norton, who chairs the subcommittee that brought the bill to pass today, says the bill directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell property on the National Mall for the construction of a National Women's History Museum to research collect, and showcase the contributions of women in professional fields, as well as to honor women's roles in nurturing their families and communities. Norton had to overcome a number of technicalities to get the passage because of the presumption against selling federal property. To facilitate passage of this bill, she waived consideration in her own subcommittee, and took the bill to full committee mark-up after beating back a last-minute "scoring rule" raised by the Congressional Budget Office.
"Women have waited too long for their own museum in the nation's capital," Norton said. "I deeply appreciate the strong commitment of the women who conceived the National Museum idea, and their determination to do whatever it took to get it done."
The bill directs GSA to sell the parcel bounded by 12th Street, SW, Independence Avenue, the Forrestal Building, and Maryland Avenue, at fair market value. Norton said that the Museum has major importance for women, but also has significant potential to bring new visitors to the District, and to encourage others to stay longer.