Finally: The National Museum of African American History and Culture

It took decades of lobbying, the retirement of Jesse Helms and Dick Cheney missed the vote yesterday but the Smithsonian Board of Regents finally approved the construction of The National Museum of African American History and Culture.

But as happens so many times, the happy is mixed with the sad as this news comes on the same day as the passing of Coretta Scott King.

Congratulations to all who worked for many years on this idea, especially Congressman John Lewis of Georgia.

I hope the story of the men of the USS Mason can find inclusion at this Mall location that Congressman Lewis calls "the front door to America."