Washington, DC – Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) have written the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), requesting the agency make available federal assistance for the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), which was damaged in five-alarm Chinatown fire last week.  The fire started in a nearby former school that more recently housed several community organizations. The museum stored its collection in the structure that was hit by the fire.

“Community institutions like MOCA are crucial in enhancing our understanding of the full history of America and the lives of immigrants that have shaped our country,” said Nadler. “I’m hopeful that the NEH can help support the essential work of preserving and restoring the museum’s collection.”

“MOCA’s collection is a true community gem and while we don’t yet know the full extent of the damage, we must do everything possible to preserve these artifacts, which are so important to our City’s and our nation’s heritage,” said Velázquez. “We stand ready to work with NEH and all other appropriate agencies to channel federal assistance to the community.”