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-6- [[preprinted]] Congress of the United States House of Representatives COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION SUITE H-326, U.S. CAPITOL 225-2061 Washington, DC 20515 NINETY-NINTH CONGRESS FRANK ANNUNZIO, ILLINOIS, CHAIRMAN JOSEPH M. GAYDOS, PENNSYLVANIA ED JONES, TENNESSEE CHARLES ROSE, NORTH CAROLINA LEON E. PANETTA, CALIFORNIA AL SWIFT, WASHINGTON THOMAS S. FOLEY, WASHINGTON MARY ROSE OAKAR, OHIO TONY COELHO, CALIFORNIA JIM BATES, CALIFORNIA WILLIAM (BILL) CLAY, MISSOURI SAM GEJDENSON, CONNECTICUT BILL FRENZEL, MINNESOTA WILLIAM L. DICKINSON, ALABAMA ROBERT E. BADHAM, CALIFORNIA NEWT GINGRICH, GEORGIA WILLIAM M. THOMAS, CALIFORNIA BARBARA F. VUCANOVICH, NEVADA PAT ROBERTS, KANSAS DAVID C. SHARMAN, STAFF DIRECTOR CHARLES T. HOWELL, CHIEF COUNSEL [[/preprinted]] May 2, 1985 Secretary Adams and The Board of Regents The Smithsonian Institution 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20560 Dear Regents: On May 1, the Task Force on Libraries and Memorials held a hearing to consider H.J.Res. 198, a bill to authorize the appointment of Mr. Barnabas McHenry to the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. The Task Force heard testimony from Congressman Boland, Dr. Adams, and Mr. McHenry. The Task Force also received statements of support for Mr. McHenry from Congressmen Mineta and Congressman Conte. As Chairwoman of the Task Force, I will request that H.J.Res. 198 be put on the agenda for the next full committee meeting of the House Administration. The Task Force will recommend to the full committee that the appointment of Mr. Barnabas McHenry as a citizen regent of the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents be approved. Because of certain time restraints, the Task Force would like to submit the following questions to the Board of Regents for their response. (1) I understand that it is standard procedure for the Smithsonian to send letters to the various Members of Congress who chair those committees with authorizing jurisdiction over the Smithsonian Institution, inviting them to offer names of candidates for consideration for the position of citizen regent of the Smithsonian. Have you ever made a selection of citizen regent on the basis of a recommenidation from chairman of any of the Congressional appropriations or authorization committees? (2) There are many outstanding Americans under the age of 40, particularly in the areas of science, arts and humanities. Would the Smithsonian give consideration to the appointment of such a person? (3) The Smithsonian is not bound by the normal scrutiny and constraints that all other Federal agencies are bound by such as "The Freedom of Information Act", and "The Government in Sunshine Act" yet the Board of Regents' meeting remain closed to the public. Would the Board consider voluntary compliance to open-door meetings in the spirit of public responsibility? (4) To create more effective communication between the Smithsonian and the Congress, would you consider inviting Members of the House and Senate Subcommittees (or their representatives) that have oversight authorization and appropriation responsibilities of the Smithsonian to attend Board of Regents' meetings.
