COALITION OF 72 GROUPS WANTS TO KEEP SOUTHWEST MUSEUM IN NORTHEAST AREA -- BUT WE LACK GREAT LEADERS

The Southwest Museum was the first museum in the City of Los Angeles.

It opened August 1, 1914. This museum was the dream of Charles Lummis its founder; with a spectacular view of the San Gabriel Mountains, The Arroyo Seco, downtown Los Angeles, on clear days, Catalina Island.

The Southwest Museum houses a magnificent collection of Native American Indian Art, artifacts, anthropological items and Mexican culture. The collection has a value of ONE BILLION DOLLARS.

In late 1987 the first attempt to relocate the Southwest Museum was initiated by the museum's Board of Trustees. In 1990 and 1993 the same Board of Trustees wanted to move the museum out of the Northeast area.

In 1987 Councilman Richard Alatorre spoke in favor of keeping the Southwest Museum in the Northeast Area. Senator Art Torres, Councilwoman Gloria Molina, Assemblyman Richard Polanco, John B. Slughter President of Occidental College and twenty two organizations opposed the decision of The Board of Trustees to seek a new home for
the Southwest Museum.

In 1990 Mayor Richard J. Riordian said: "We are committed to preserving the Southwest Museum as an important part of the Northeast area", "I am appointing a Blue Ribbon Committee, as part of our commitment to preserve the Southwest Museum". "This Special Blue Ribbon panel will be charge with providing a comprehensive game plan, in coordination with the Museum's Board, to enable the Museum to expand its current location, raise the necessary capital funds, maximize its marketing potential, improve its outreach in the community and identify appropriate locations for satellite annexes". "The City is also prepared to actively lobby in support of three proposed bond measures in the State Legislature". He also mentioned plans of MTA to build a Southwest Museum station". The City view the retention of the Southwest Museum as crucial to the overall economic recovery of the Northeast Community."

Now again, we are faced with the reality of the Southwest Museum leaving the Northeast community to be absorbed by the Autry Museum. This time we have a coalition formed by 72 groups and 7,000 signatures in favor of keeping the Southwest Museum in the Northeast area, but we lack GREAT LEADERS.

In 1987, 1990 and 1993 we had GREAT LEADERS that spoke up and truly defended the history and assets of this community. Where are the leaders of today? Are they too preoccupied with their personal agendas? Are they worried about who is going to finance their political careers? Have they forgotten their oath to serve the people
including minorities? When they took that oath, they took the RESPONSIBILITY OF SAFEGARDING the assets of the community that elected them.