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SJR 104

General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Terica Smith, Tennessee State University Board of Trustees -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Urges Congress to reinstate the 2008 commission to create a National Museum of the American Latino and advocate its Smithsonian inclusion on the National Mall.

Companion HJR 157 substituted for SJR
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Bill Summary · SJR 104

Summary — SJR 104 (Urges Congress to continue progress on National Museum of the American Latino)

Status: Substituted by AJR166 (1R) on 2025-01-14
Introduced: April 11, 2024
Classification: Joint resolution (memorializing)
Sponsor: Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz; Cosponsors: Sens. Nellie Pou, Nilsa I. Cruz‑Perez; Co‑sponsor: Sen. McKnight

Purpose

SJR 104 is a non‑binding memorial resolution that respectfully urges the United States Congress to continue work toward creating a National Museum of the American Latino. The resolution asks Congress to reinstate the 2008 commission to study and advance the museum’s creation, and to advocate for the museum to become part of the Smithsonian Institution with a site on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Key provisions

  • Formally urges the U.S. Congress to:
    • Reinstate the 2008 commission to explore and advance the creation of a National Museum of the American Latino; and
    • Advocate that the museum be established as part of the Smithsonian Institution and located on the National Mall.
  • Directs that copies of the resolution be transmitted to federal leaders: the President and Vice President, the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House, and each member of Congress from New Jersey.
  • States the resolution takes effect immediately upon adoption.

The resolution’s preamble notes Latino contributions across fields (science, medicine, arts, military, business, etc.), cites an estimated 60 million American Latinos (the nation’s largest ethnic minority), and projects Latino population growth to approximately 25% of the U.S. population by 2060.

Who is affected / potential impact

  • Direct legal effect: None. As a memorial (urging) resolution, SJR 104 does not create statutory duties, appropriate funds, or change federal law.
  • Policy/advocacy impact: Seeks to influence federal decision‑making by urging Congress to reconstitute a commission and support establishment of a Smithsonian museum celebrating Latino history and culture. If successful at the federal level, such a museum could affect cultural representation, Smithsonian programming, and National Mall planning.

Procedural history & timeline

  • 2024-04-11: Introduced and referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
  • 2024-10-24: Reported out of committee with amendments (technical change).
  • 2024-12-19: Senate floor amendment adopted (preliminary text change to preamble).
  • 2025-01-14: Substituted by AJR166 (1R) — SJR 104 was replaced by a companion Assembly joint resolution in subsequent action.

Limitations / Notes

  • The resolution is symbolic and intended to express the State of New Jersey’s position and encourage federal action; it does not itself establish a commission, provide funding, or change Smithsonian governance.
  • Committee and floor amendments were technical and changed preamble language to reflect recent Congressional action as noted in committee reports.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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