Dear Friends,

As a member of the PHA for more than 40 years, and as a past president, I am writing to request PHA endorsement of the proposed National Museum of Disability History and Culture.  Congressional legislation to establish a study commission has been written by US Senator Bob Casey in cooperation with a diverse working group that includes several dozen advocacy and self-advocacy organizations.  Our expectation is the enabling bill will be introduced in the new Congress 2025.  If approved the museum would be under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution. This is a bi-partisan initiative.

What follows below is a link to the website, and a template for an endorsement statement to be sent to Sen. Casey. Please amend as you feel appropriate.  I would appreciate if the association would take this matter up at the fall meeting in Johnstown.  Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Friends of the NMDHC website: https://disabilityhistory.org/national-museum-of-disability-history-and-culture/

Template for statement to Sen. Casey:

(Alison_Hernandez@aging.senate.gov)

10/04/24

Dear Senator Casey,

The _____________________ would like to endorse the Bill to establish a national commission for the study of the need for a national museum of disability rights, history, and culture.

Many thanks, Dennis

Dennis B. Downey, PhD

Professor of History Emeritus, Millersville University

Past Chair, PILCOP Disability Policy Circle

Member, CADD/Wellspan Health Human Rights Team