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The Council has considered over one hundred topics since 1966.  Subjects have ranged from anthropology to fostering an appreciation for art, and from systematic biology to collections acquisition, as well as a series of program reviews of Smithsonian museums, galleries, and research bureaux.  The Council's advice has been of great value, and virtually all of its suggestions have been followed up over time.  Its contributions have included a role in the establishment of Smithsonian fellowship programs in the late 1960s, the decentralization of exhibit responsibilities and resources in the early 1970s, and more recently the priority effort now being devoted to collections management.

The Council's level of achievement and value stems in several ways from Dr. Ray's efforts and his example.  As Chairman since 1970, he has kept a clear view of the proper functions of an advisory group and how its potential as a group and how the talents of its knowledgeable members can be fostered to attain the Council's now long-standing record of thoughtful but often pointed and sometimes recurring counsel on subjects of major importance to the Institution and its bureaux.  Dr. Ray's judicious and subtle moderation of the Council's sessions, his stimulation and respect for his fellow councilors, and his dealings with the staff have been exemplary.  In his association, the Council has become an engaged and willing group of distinguished representatives who give of their time not only for the Council, but also for service on various Smithsonian boards, commissions, special review groups, and as individual advisors on an ad hoc basis.  His contributions are rounded out buy his masterful summaries of Council proceedings which touch with unerring skill upon the essentials and the nuances of every issue.