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[[underline]] Regents' Audit and Review Committee Report and Discussion [[/underline]]

Senator Jackson reported that the Audit and Review Committee met on April 20 and 21, 1977 to review the issues raised by the GAO Report on the Smithsonian of March 31, 1977, and the concerns expressed over that report and the Institution during Appropriations Subcommittee hearings in the Congress. At its initial meeting the Committee considered the desirability of engaging an independent management consultant to perform an impartial review of the questions raised and of the Smithsonian's management and unique place and role in the Federal Establishment.

As a result of that first meeting, Senator Jackson received a letter from Secretary Ripley expressing his personal commitment and that of his entire staff to cooperate in any study to be undertaken (copy attached). Senator Jackson then wrote to the Chairmen and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees apprising them of the proposed independent study. Senator Jackson also requested the Subcommittees to maintain the status quo [[superscript]] [[underline]] 1 [[/underline]] / [[/superscript]] with regard to the passage of the FY 1978 appropriation and reported that he had talked with the four members personally to acquaint them with the proposed study and to solicit their cooperation respecting continuing appropriations. Subsequently, the House Subcommittee on Appropriations indicated they will ask the full Appropriations Committee for a separate investigation.
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[[underline]] 1 [[/underline]] / See letter of Sen. Jackson to Sen. Byrd, Chairman, dated April 26, 1977 (attached)