Van Hollen, Mfume Introduce Legislation to Designate the Museum of the Blind People's Movement as a National Museum

Last week, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07) announced their joint introduction of legislation to designate the new Museum of the Blind People's Movement in Baltimore as the official National Museum of the Blind People's Movement. Once established, this museum will be the first to be blind-owned, operated, and led.

"We can all learn from stories of the pioneering blind Americans who have organized and led the movement that reshaped our nation in the direction of equality. With this legislation, we are working to honor eight decades of leadership and ensure this history is preserved, shared, and celebrated not just locally, but nationally as well. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I've been proud to support this mission with $301,000 in direct federal funding, and, now, to team up with Congressman Mfume on this legislation to designate it as the National Museum of the Blind People's Movement," said Senator Van Hollen.

"Blind Americans have long faced discrimination and low expectations, but that has never stopped them from making vital contributions to our society that are far too often under-recognized," said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. "By acknowledging this institution as the National Museum of the Blind People's Movement, Congress honors an important American story and supports a first-of-its-kind, blind-owned and blind-led cultural institution that will serve students, researchers, veterans, workers, families, and visitors from every corner of these United States of America."

"The introduction of this legislation marks a historic moment in our movement's journey. The National Museum of the Blind People's Movement will be the first blind-led and blind-centered museum that authentically preserves and shares our stories of advocating, innovating, and transforming society. This museum will be about the people who have demonstrated that with proper training and opportunity, we achieve equality and full participation in all aspects of American life," said Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "We are grateful to Congressman Kweisi Mfume and Senator Chris Van Hollen for championing this recognition. This museum will serve as a national platform for dialogue, education, and inclusion-connecting our rich history with action that makes a difference."

"We are proud to support this effort to uplift and honor the blind community with a museum here in Baltimore," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "Our city prides itself on celebrating the history of those who shaped our nation, especially folks whose stories are not often told. We look forward to supporting the best federal delegation in the country as they work to advance this bill."

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), founded in 1940, has preserved a great number of artifacts, documents, and literature that chronicle both the struggle and progress of blind people across the United States. The NFB has committed to the collection, preservation, and curation of the history of the blind through the establishment of a museum to house these artifacts. The museum will serve as a national platform to explore these stories, foster understanding, and spark dialogue today.

Recognizing the Museum of the Blind People's Movement as the National Museum of the Blind People's Movement would be a significant step towards providing long-overdue national recognition to the many contributions to our nation and its collective history that have been made by blind Americans.

Click here to access the legislation's full text.