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IDENTICAL LETTER TO: Senator Ted Stevens
Congressman Sidney R. Yates
Congressman Joseph M. McDade 

-17-

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United States Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C.

HENRY M. JACKSON
WASHINGTON

ROOM 137
SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
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April 26, 1977

Honorable Robert C. Byrd, Chairman
Subcommittee on the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
Washington, D. C.  20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I am writing this letter as Chairman of the Audit Review Committee of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.  Our committee was recently established by Chief Justice Burger, the Chancellor of the Smithsonian, and has been asked to review the Report of the Comptroller General on the Smithsonian Institution released March 31, 1977.  The committee will also explore the concerns that were expressed during the Smithsonian's budget hearing in the Senate on April 18.

The Audit Review Committee met last Thursday, April 21, and is committed to undertaking a thorough review of the entire situation.  The GAO Report and the concerns expressed during the Senate hearing have been discussed with Secretary Ripley and his staff, all of whom are committed to working with your Subcommittee, the Audit Review Committee, and the Board of Regents to resolve these matters.  In this connection, I enclose a copy of a letter I have received from the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution pledging his cooperation in this effort and suggesting that the Board of Regents authorize an independent study of the Smithsonian's organization, management and procedures to assess the Institution's present accountability to the Congress and the effectiveness of its operations and management.  Such a study would also re-examine the Smithsonian's present statutory authorities and recommend whatever changes may be needed to bring them up to date and strengthen them.

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(NOT PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE)
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