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After discussion the following motion was approved:

VOTED that the Board of Regents establishes the Order of James Smithson to be conferred upon those rare individuals whose contributions to the Smithsonian measurably transcend existing honors for service to the Institution. It is anticipated that nominations of honorees will be made to the Secretary by the National Board of the Smithsonian Associates in accordance with the highest and most rigorous standards and that formal investitures will take place at dinners of the Board of Regents or other suitable occasions.

[[underlined]] Participation in Edinburgh Festival [[/underlined]]

The Secretary reported that the Institution has received an invitation to have an exhibition at the August 1984 Edinburgh Festival, which exhibition could be combined with an invited visit of the Regents, members of the National Board of Smithsonian Associates, Regents Emeritus, the Royal Family could take part in receiving the Smithsonian delegation and expressing  appreciation of the Institution. The Secretary added that 1984 will mark the 200th anniversary of a curious tour of James Smithson, William Thornton (the American who was later architect of the Capitol), and a French abbé called Saint-Fond to the Highlands -- which tour and circumstances suggest a possible link to the founding of the Smithsonian Institution.

The Regents received the Secretary's suggestion warmly and asked him to continue to explore the matter and to report further at the next meeting of the Board.

[[underlined]] Status Reports [[/underlined]]

The Secretary discussed the following statues reports, each of which was distributed to the Regents in advance of the meeting.
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