Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-10-06

RECOGNIZING AN EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF SERVICE: DR. LONNIE G. BUNCH, III

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On 2026-10-06, Representative Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-7) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING AN EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF SERVICE: DR. LONNIE G. BUNCH, III" in the House.

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RECOGNIZING AN EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF SERVICE: DR. LONNIE G. BUNCH, III

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 158 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 158 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1032-E1033] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING AN EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF SERVICE: DR. LONNIE G. BUNCH, III ______ HON. KWEISI MFUME of maryland in the house of representatives Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary service of Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch, III, the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, as he prepares to conclude his service to one of our Nation's most precious cultural institutions. Dr. Bunch's legacy is inseparable from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. As its founding director, Dr. Bunch helped to transform a century-old dream into an American institution on the National Mall. The museum changed the landscape of Washington, but, more importantly, it changed how current and future generations understand our Nation and themselves. African American history is not a sidebar to American history--it is American history. As the first African American to serve as Secretary of the Smithsonian, Dr. Bunch broke an important barrier while continuing his lifelong commitment to scholarship, truth, and historical preservation. That commitment carries particular significance today. This year, the Trump Administration has continued efforts to reshape the presentation of American history at the Smithsonian and other federal cultural institutions. In July, and again this month, Congressman Jonathan Jackson and I stood outside the National Museum of African American History and Culture with faith and community leaders to reject any and all efforts to erase, distort, or diminish that history. Among those joining us were Bishop William J. Barber, II and Reverend Dr. Robert R.A. Turner of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore. Their presence reinforced an important truth: preserving history is not solely the responsibility of historians. It requires citizens, clergy, educators, lawmakers, students, and communities prepared to defend the integrity of our national story. As I stated during a House Oversight hearing in July regarding the history of Black people in America: ``If you erase it, we will replace it.'' That is more than a slogan. It is a commitment. That commitment is also reflected in my legislative work. Earlier this year. I introduced the African American History Act of 2026, with Senator Cory Booker leading companion legislation in the Senate, and 92 original House co-sponsors. The bill would authorize $20 million for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to expand African American history education for students, parents, and educators, and would strengthen the development and dissemination of historically accurate educational resources. Similarly, I also introduced the National Council on African American History and Culture Act of 2026, which would establish a national council within the National Endowment for the Humanities to preserve, promote, and strengthen the study of African American history and culture. These efforts rest on a simple principle: preserving history requires more than defending what already exists. It requires building the institutions, resources, and public understanding necessary to carry that history forward. Secretary Bunch has embodied this principle throughout his long and storied career. He understands that confronting the difficult chapters of American history does not weaken this Nation. It strengthens us, allowing future generations to see clearly both our failures and our progress. I salute Dr. Bunch for a fight well fought. Scholarship is more important than Presidential gamesmanship. Truth is stronger than political pressure. And history, faithfully preserved, will outlive those who attempt to rewrite it. [[Page E1033]] Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch, III for his extraordinary service to the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and, most of all, the people of the United States. His service has enriched our Nation, deepened our understanding of ourselves, and helped to ensure that the full American story will be preserved for generations to come. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING AN EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF SERVICE: DR. LONNIE G. BUNCH, III Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 158 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 158 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1032-E1033] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING AN EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF SERVICE: DR. LONNIE G. BUNCH, III ______ HON. KWEISI MFUME of maryland in the house of representatives Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary service of Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch, III, the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, as he prepares to conclude his service to one of our Nation's most precious cultural institutions. Dr. Bunch's legacy is inseparable from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. As its founding director, Dr. Bunch helped to transform a century-old dream into an American institution on the National Mall. The museum changed the landscape of Washington, but, more importantly, it changed how current and future generations understand our Nation and themselves. African American history is not a sidebar to American history--it is American history. As the first African American to serve as Secretary of the Smithsonian, Dr. Bunch broke an important barrier while continuing his lifelong commitment to scholarship, truth, and historical preservation. That commitment carries particular significance today. This year, the Trump Administration has continued efforts to reshape the presentation of American history at the Smithsonian and other federal cultural institutions. In July, and again this month, Congressman Jonathan Jackson and I stood outside the National Museum of African American History and Culture with faith and community leaders to reject any and all efforts to erase, distort, or diminish that history. Among those joining us were Bishop William J. Barber, II and Reverend Dr. Robert R.A. Turner of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore. Their presence reinforced an important truth: preserving history is not solely the responsibility of historians. It requires citizens, clergy, educators, lawmakers, students, and communities prepared to defend the integrity of our national story. As I stated during a House Oversight hearing in July regarding the history of Black people in America: ``If you erase it, we will replace it.'' That is more than a slogan. It is a commitment. That commitment is also reflected in my legislative work. Earlier this year. I introduced the African American History Act of 2026, with Senator Cory Booker leading companion legislation in the Senate, and 92 original House co-sponsors. The bill would authorize $20 million for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to expand African American history education for students, parents, and educators, and would strengthen the development and dissemination of historically accurate educational resources. Similarly, I also introduced the National Council on African American History and Culture Act of 2026, which would establish a national council within the National Endowment for the Humanities to preserve, promote, and strengthen the study of African American history and culture. These efforts rest on a simple principle: preserving history requires more than defending what already exists. It requires building the institutions, resources, and public understanding necessary to carry that history forward. Secretary Bunch has embodied this principle throughout his long and storied career. He understands that confronting the difficult chapters of American history does not weaken this Nation. It strengthens us, allowing future generations to see clearly both our failures and our progress. I salute Dr. Bunch for a fight well fought. Scholarship is more important than Presidential gamesmanship. Truth is stronger than political pressure. And history, faithfully preserved, will outlive those who attempt to rewrite it. [[Page E1033]] Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch, III for his extraordinary service to the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and, most of all, the people of the United States. His service has enriched our Nation, deepened our understanding of ourselves, and helped to ensure that the full American story will be preserved for generations to come. ____________________