{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.scott.senate.gov/press-release/senator-scott-calls-inclusion-justice-clarence-thomas-exhibits-nmaahc", "Senator Scott Calls for Inclusion of Justice Clarence Thomas in Exhibits at the NMAAHC", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) sent a letter to the Smithsonian Institution today, requesting a reconsideration of the omission of Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, the second African American to ever serve on the United States Supreme Court, in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).\nIn the letter, Senator Scott writes, \u201cI respectfully request that the Smithsonian strongly reconsider the omission of Justice Thomas\u2019 significant legacy in the National Museum of African American History and Culture and take the appropriate steps to include a more comprehensive account of his legacy to African American history. I sincerely hope that a museum that has done so much right in telling the history of African Americans will not deny generations of Americans the privilege of experiencing Justice Thomas\u2019s incredible and inspirational story.\u201d\nIn addition to sending the letter today, Senator Scott joined a group of senators in\u00a0sponsoring a resolution\u00a0that also calls on the Smithsonian to include Justice Thomas in the museum\u2019s exhibits. \u00a0\nYou can download letter\u00a0here\u00a0or read full text below:\n\tDecember 6, 2016\nDr. David J. Skorton\n\tSecretary of the Smithsonian\n\tSmithsonian Institution\n\tPO Box 37012\n\tWashington, DC 20013-7012\n\n\tMr. Richard Kurin\n\tActing Provost / Under Secretary for Museums and Research\n\tSmithsonian Institution\n\tPO Box 37012\n\tWashington, DC 20013-7012\n\n\tMr. Lonnie G. Bunch III\n\tFounding Director\n\tNational Museum of African American History and Culture\n\tPO Box 37012\n\tWashington, DC 20013-7012\nDear Dr. Skorton, Mr. Kurin, and Mr. Bunch,\nFirst and foremost, I write to thank and congratulate you and the entire team of individuals who helped create the awe-inspiring Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. This amazing museum is essential in telling a complete history of the unique and compelling story of the Great Experiment that is the United States of America. Since the opening, I understand that the average time a visitor spends in the museum is nearly triple the amount of time that is spent in other Smithsonian museums, which is as much a tribute to your hard work and dedication as it is to the subject matter. \u00a0\nThis past September, I was honored to receive an invitation to preview the museum before the building\u2019s historic public opening. As I walked through the museum\u2019s entrance, I could not help but think of my late grandfather, born in 1921, and who had seen, endured, and persevered through experiences that many of us today cannot even imagine. He would have stood in wonderment and amazement at the monument to the African American story that now sits on our national mall.\nI have an unending appreciation for the African American men and women who endured so much to open doors for generations that followed, without them I would not have the privilege of serving the citizens of South Carolina in the United States Senate.\u00a0 Walking through the museum, I experienced not only the weight of the pain and suffering of African Americans throughout the history of our country but also a sense of accomplishment, pride, hope and optimism. African Americans have forever touched the landscape of American history with historic contributions that have enriched our culture, expanded our intellect, and advanced opportunity for people around the world.\nIn the spirit of your efforts to build a living history, I am writing to you today in regards to an important piece of our history I believe has been overlooked. I was saddened and extremely disappointed to learn that the museum excluded the celebration of one of the nation\u2019s most influential African Americans and preeminent legal minds, and the second-ever African American to serve on the United States Supreme Court, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nWhile Justice Thomas and I do not share the same keen mastery of constitutional law, I can identify to some degree, with some of the inherent stereotypes and personal obstacles that Justice Thomas overcame to reach the pinnacle of his profession.\u00a0 I can attest that, similar to Justice Thomas, as an African American man growing up in abject poverty of the Deep South, without the full arsenal of a nuclear family, and having struggled early on in school, options for my success seemed limited and role models or mentors were hard to find.\nThe National Museum of African American History and Culture has an exhibition specifically entitled \u201cMaking A Way Out of No Way,\u201d which seeks to explore \u201cthemes of agency, creativity, and resilience through personal stories of African Americans who challenged racial oppression and discrimination and created ways out of \u201cno way.\u201d I cannot think of a more appropriate African American figure to encapsulate the \u201cMaking A Way Out of No Way\u201d mantra than Justice Thomas and the impossible socioeconomic obstacles and bigoted hurdles that he has overcome and continues to battle.\nWith those thoughts in mind, I respectfully request that the Smithsonian strongly reconsider the omission of Justice Thomas\u2019 significant legacy in the National Museum of African American History and Culture and take the appropriate steps to include a more comprehensive account of his legacy to African American history. I sincerely hope that a museum that has done so much right in telling the history of African Americans will not deny generations of Americans the privilege of experiencing Justice Thomas\u2019s incredible and inspirational story.\nSincerely,\nTim Scott\n\tU.S. Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/press-release/senator-scott-calls-inclusion-justice-clarence-thomas-exhibits-nmaahc"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4594460371881723, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}