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create a unified collection of Native American materials unparalleled anywhere in the world, greatly enhancing the Smithsonian's ability to relate the history and culture of Native Americans to all our citizens.

[[underlined]] Major Collections Acquisition Fund. [[/underlined]] It is scarcely necessary today to dwell at great length about the pace at which art prices have been rising. The recent sales of a Turner painting for $7,000,000 and of a Van Gogh for $5,000,000 suffice to make the point; sales of individual works for $1,000,000 or $2,000,000, which used to be front-page news, no longer even elicit much comment. The Smithsonian has in its federal base appropriation about $800,000 allocated to its numerous museums to purchase art and other important collection pieces for the National Collections. Recognizing the need to become more competitive with the contemporary situation, the Regents approved the establishment of the trust-funded Collections Acquisition, Scholarly Studies, and Education Program in FY 1978, to supplement the Institution's federal acquisitions base. Collections acquisition trust allocations amount to about $1,000,000 per year. The Institution will continue energetically to solicit donations of important collections, art works, and artifacts, but even with these efforts, and the federal and trust support currently available, its museums are in a far less than advantageous position compared to the leading private museums in this country and the national museums abroad.

Consequently, in Fy 1983 the Smithsonian will be seeking to establish through the appropriations process a new, centrally administered major acquisition fund of $10,000,000 in its initial year of operation to remain available until expended. It is planned that the fund would be replenished as it is used from year-to-year, with about $5,000,000 representing the average replenishment request beyond FY 1983.

The fund will benefit not so much the Smithsonian as the millions of visitors today, and in future generations, who come from all sections of the nation to view [[underline]] their [[/underline]] heritage contained in the national museums. This Institution will not shirk its responsibilities to the citizens of this country with regard to acquiring important items for the National Collections, but will need a much larger commitment from the federal government.

[[underlined]] Photocopy Equipment Purchase. [[/underlined]] A one-time purchase of photocopying equipment is planned. A request will be contained in the FY 1983 budget submission to the Office of Management and Budget for this, but the funds do not affect resource projections for future years FY 1984-96. Approximately 70 percent of the copying machines in use at the Institution are leased. This request, which results from a recommendation of the internal audit staff, over time would effect significant cost savings (estimated at approximately $960,000) through the purchase and improved management of the equipment.

[[underlined]] Special Programs Resource Growth [[/underlined]]

Overall support of Special Programs may approach $17,000,000 in FY 1986, rising from present levels of $9,700,000. Substantial growth in federal funding is planned for Museum Support Center operations, the establishment of a Major Collections Acquisition Fund, extensive revamping of