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[[underlined]] Policy on Public and Congressional Information [[/underlined]]

The Secretary noted that at its May 9, 1983 meeting, the Board of Regents reviewed the record of their past discussions on the question of meeting open to the press and public, reviewed the potential applicability of the Government in the Sunshine Act, and discussed current practices and options for the future.  As noted in the Minutes of that meeting, page 56, the Regents wished to have a formal statement delineating the policy of the board, presenting a complete explanation of it, and serving as a direct communication to the press.  The statement below was drafted for the Regents' consideration.

After discussion it was agreed that the proposed statement represents a consensus of the views of the Regents.  Accordingly, with Mr. Mineta registering his negative vote, it was

VOTED that the Board of Regents adopts the policy on public and Congressional information as reflected in the following statement, with the understanding that this policy will be reviewed periodically by the Board.  This statement is to be released to the press and forwarded to the chairmen of the appropriate Congressional committees as soon as practicable.

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[[underlined]] PRESS RELEASE [[/underlined]]

At its meeting on September 19, 1983 the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution agreed upon the following statement regarding its policy on public information.

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Since 1977 and during the course of numerous meetings, including their meeting of May 9, 1983, the Regents have discussed in depth the admission of press and public to the Board's meeting.  While it has been clear that