Nydia M. Velazquez: “the popularity of historical sites like Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty attests to the value of this nation's…”

“the popularity of historical sites like Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty attests to the value of this nation's rich immigrant history and the importance Americans place on understanding their heritage. But the story of the immigrant experience does not end at Ellis Island. The Lower East Side Tenement Museum offers us a rare window into how our ancestors adapted to their new lives in this country. In order to help the Tenement Museum to serve the public better, I introduced H.R. 2201, in July 1997. Senators D'Amato and Moynihan followed by introducing the Senate equivalent in November of that year. Our legislation would designate the Lower East Side Tenement Museum as an affiliate of the National Park Service. The Tenement Museum is located at 97 Orchard Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side, the heart of America's immigrant tradition. The building was erected in 1863 and, over the course of 69 years, served as the first American home for thousands of immigrants from around the world. Much of America's immigrant history begins in New York.”