SENATOR COLLINS INTRODUCES BILL TO CREATE NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MUSEUM

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Susan Collins introduced legislation to create a National Women's History museum on a site near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. that is currently owned by the General Services Administration (GSA).

The National Women's History Museum Act of 2009 was introduced with the support of a bipartisan group of 19 other senators. It directs the GSA to enter into a long-term occupancy agreement with the National Women's History Museum, Inc. (NWHM), a nonprofit organization, to develop the site at 12th Street and Independence Avenue, SW. It is estimated that such a museum would draw more than 1.5 million visitors to the nation's capital each year.

"Such a museum would also showcase the many important social, economic, cultural, and political contributions that women have made to our country. And all this could be done at virtually no cost to taxpayers," said Senator Collins.

Under Senator Collins' bill, NWHM would pay fair market value to occupy the site, and would be responsible for construction.

"This is a great use for an empty lot on our National Mall, and it makes good fiscal sense," said Senator Collins.

###