For Immediate Release: June 21, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) announced that it would proceed with a request made by a coalition led by Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) and take the first step towards designating the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle as an affiliate area of the National Park System. Affiliate areas of the National Park System get technical and other support from the National Park Service and often some amount of annual funding.

In response to a letter written from Congressman McDermott and his colleagues, a NPS official wrote, “I am pleased to inform you that the NPS will conduct the requested reconnaissance survey. The survey will determine if the Wing Luke Museum merits further consideration as an affiliated area of the National Park Service through a congressionally authorized Special Resource Study.” The survey will likely take place in 2013.

Congressman McDermott made the initial request on May 9, 2012 in a letter that was co-signed by 8 Members of Congress, including Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), and Congressmen Norm Dicks (D-WA-06), Rick Larsen (D-WA-02) and Adam Smith (D-WA-09).

In the original letter McDermott and his colleagues sent to NPS, they explained that “the Wing Luke Museum is the only pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in America, highlighting the issues and life-experiences of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.”

Beth Takekawa, Executive Director of the Wing Luke Museum, praised McDermott and his colleagues’ efforts and said, “We’re thrilled that the National Park Service (NPS) has authorized this survey. We look forward to working with NPS staff on the next steps. We appreciate Congressman McDermott for initiating this effort, his years of support for the Wing and the communities we represent. We are grateful to the Members of Congress and the many community leaders who stepped forward to support this request.”

The Pacific West Region of NPS will provide the overall direction of the study team assigned to the project.


The full text of the NPS response follows (click here to view the signed letter):

Dear Mr. McDermott:

Thank you for your letter of May 9, 2012, to National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis, requesting that the National Park Service (NPS) conduct a reconnaissance survey of the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience located in Seattle, Washington. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Director.

I am pleased to inform you that the NPS will conduct the requested reconnaissance survey. The survey will determine if the Wing Luke Museum merits further consideration as an affiliated area of the National Park System through a congressionally authorized Special Resource Study. A summary report on the survey findings will be prepared.

Reconnaissance surveys are funded in an amount not to exceed $25,000. Given the timing of the request and staff workload commitments for the remainder of this fiscal year (FY), we expect that the survey project will be initiated in FY 2013.

The Pacific West Region will provide the overall direction of the study team assigned to this project. Please contact Ms. Martha Crusius, Chief of Park Planning and Environmental Compliance, Pacific West Region, should you have questions regarding the reconnaissance survey process. Ms. Crusius can be reached at 415/623-2310.

An identical letter is being sent to the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye; the Honorable Patty Murray; the Honorable Maria Cantwell; the Honorable Norm Dicks; the Honorable Adam Smith; the Honorable Michael M. Honda; the Honorable Rick Larsen; the Honorable Judy Chu.

Sincerely,

Victor W. Knox
NPS Associate Director, Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands