The House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill yesterday that will create a commission to study the creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture.

The commission would be tasked with evaluating the building costs for the museum as well as possible locations within the Washington area.

The bill was introduced by Rep Grace Meng (D-NY) who wrote in a letter in support of the bill this past December, “The story of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) is interwoven within the history of America, but frequently our history is forgotten or ignored in the greater narrative of American history. That is why we urge you to markup this bill as a first step to creating a national museum dedicated to the history and culture of AAPIs. Our experiences – both good and bad – provide an opportunity for us to celebrate our accomplishments, honor the challenges we have overcome, and press forward toward a more perfect union.”