A key Senate committee on Thursday agreed unanimously to send to the full Senate a previously passed House bill that would establish a museum dedicated to American Latino. 

This would give the proposed bill a chance of getting a final vote and landing on President Donald Trump's desk for approval.

The said legislation will authorize the Smithsonian Institution to create the long-awaited National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall to honor the contributions and sacrifices of American Latinos.

"My only hope is that that leg of the journey can culminate successfully before the end of this year," Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J, told NBC News.

Menendez is the highest-ranking Latino official in Congress and co-sponsor of the bipartisan legislation. He spoke about the importance of the proposed museum during his interview with NBC News.

In a statement, Menendez said: "As a proud Cuban American and the lead Senate sponsor of this legislation, I'm so thankful to see us finally take this big step forward toward the creation of a national museum that honors the countless political, cultural and economic contributions of the Latino community."

He added that now is the time for Congress to finish what they have started.

Estuardo Rodriguez is one of those who are advocating for the museum for over 16 years. He is the president and CEO of the Friends of the American Latino Museum.

The United States is home to about 60 million Latinos, composing 18.5 percent of the U.S. population. Latinos are considered to be one of the largest ethnic minorities in the country. 

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In 1994, a report released by a 15-member task force concluded that the Smithsonian Institution had done a poor job of promoting Hispanics and had largely ignored Latino contributions to American art, culture, and science.

The Smithsonian operates 19 museums and galleries, as well as the National Zoo. However, none of these developments focus on the contributions of the Latino community in the United States. 

National Museum of the American Latino Act

The National Museum of the American Latino Act was introduced in both Houses in May 2019.  The said legislation would create a Board of Trustees to help plan and design the museum's construction.

The 19-member board would also develop the museum's collections to showcase the life, culture, art, and history of American Latinos.

The Act would also authorize the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services to create grants and educational programs for children and adults to learn about Latino life and culture.

It would also allow the Board of Trustees to explore numerous sites for either the new construction or development of the museum.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris was reported to co-sponsor the proposed bill. 

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"Vote Latino" founder and activist Maria Teresa Kumar moderated the said panel discussion for the bill.

Kumar questioned one of the bill's co-sponsor, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, about the bill's importance. Cornyn said that the U.S. is a diverse country, and not everybody thinks the same.

He noted that the purpose of the museum is in part to reflect the diversity of the Latino population, adding that many come from different parts of the world.

Cornyn believed that the appreciation for the contributions Latinos have made throughout the nations' history could "bind us together."